“My service year was a pivotal moment that led me to the specific career I am in today. It equipped me with the skills and insights needed to work in a large district that combines food education with food service. This unique blend allows me to contribute to the well-being of students on a larger scale, ensuring they receive both nutritious meals and valuable food education.”
Cady Molloy’s introduction to food service and education came as a chef to the discerning palates of toddlers and young children within a preschool. Through this experience, Cady discovered a deep commitment to feeding children and ensuring they received nutritious meals while in school. This passion drove Cady to move to New York City, where she sought to gain more experience and expand her impact by helping feed and educate students within the largest school district in the country.
As a FoodCorps Service Member with Wellness in the Schools, Cady had two primary objectives. First, she sought to increase “scratch cooking” in public school kitchens. Scratch cooking typically involves more fresh and nutrition-rich ingredients compared to more efficient, but less healthy pre-packaged and processed items. Second, Cady sought to bring the kitchen into the classroom, helping foster an understanding and appreciation of food with students, teachers, and school staff.
During her service year, Cady found that many schools lacked the basic infrastructure to support food education. Despite this challenge, Cady found creative and sustainable ways to bring her passion for culinary arts and healthy eating to students, including conducting cafeteria taste tests for students to try new foods and expand their palates. She also developed essential community-building skills.
“In the process, I gained a deep understanding of the cultures, needs, interests, and skills of the people I was working with. This insight enabled me to tailor programming that was best suited for each school. I collaborated with wellness councils, gym teachers, nurses, science teachers, music teachers, and parents to create comprehensive programs that best served the students.”
After completing her service year, Cady continued to work in school food service and collaborated with food education non-profits. These experiences led her to see firsthand the importance of integrating food education into school meal programs.
Today, Cady serves as the Executive Chef for the Food and Nutrition Services Department at Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) where she continues to pursue the goals she set out to accomplish as a FoodCorps Service Member. In this role, Cady utilizes the food education skills she gained with FoodCorps in implementing a Food Literacy Program to students across the district. The hands-on education includes a curriculum that directly connects students to the foods served in the cafeteria. Cady continues to use taste tests as a fun and direct way for students to learn about new foods. She also teaches a “Past, Present, and Future of the School Lunch” course to high school students, and meets monthly with a fifth grade student council.
Cady also developed a culinary training program for the nearly 400 staff she supports in the district, which has led to more than half of the kitchen menu to include scratch cooking. In recognition of her efforts, the school district recently received the Innovation in Nutrition Education Award from the US Drug Administration.
“Without the lessons learned during my service year, I would not have been able to accomplish everything I have. The experience taught me the importance of starting small, building strong community ties, and understanding the unique needs of each school. These skills have been invaluable in my current role, allowing me to make a meaningful impact on the students and the broader school community.”
About the Service Year Alums Awards
The Service Year Alums Awards recognize outstanding alums across the national service community for their contributions during their service years and beyond. This diverse network is composed of AmeriCorps Alums, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and alums from various service year programs across the country.
In 2025, the Service Year Alums Awards are all about celebrating this life-changing experience, recognizing alums who embraced the lessons, skills, and connections gained during their service year to pursue meaningful careers and positively impact their communities.
