The third week of March is National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week. The CACFP brings healthy food to children and adults across the nation in childcare centers, homes and afterschool programs. Our goal at BGCC is to provide nutritious meals to children that help them develop good eating habits that will be retained in later years of life. This would not be possible without our student employees who have a passion for the vital roles they serve in the kitchen.

Elizabeth is a senior nutrition major from Van Alystyne, Texas. Her favorite parts of being an Aggie are the traditions and football games. As a kitchen assistant, she has learned how to properly cook and prepare food, work with a team and manage her time. Her favorite parts of working at BGCC are forming connections and talking to everyone at the center. After graduation, Elizabeth plans to attend medical law school. When asked how her experiences at BGCC are preparing her for the future, Elizabeth shared, “Working here has opened many doors of opportunity for me that I am so grateful for.”

Kennedy is a sophomore Nutrition major from Corpus Christi, Texas. Her favorite thing about being an Aggie is that it feels like being part of a huge family. As a kitchen assistant, she has learned how to work with other people in a confined space to complete the same goal. Her favorite parts of working at BGCC are the people she works with and bonding with all of the children when she gets the chance. After graduation, Kennedy plans to attend pharmacy school at Texas A&M University. When asked how her experiences at BGCC are preparing her for the future, Kennedy shared, “this opportunity has helped me learn how to wake up early, be held accountable and work in a fast paced environment.”

Addison is a senior nutrition major from Atascocita, Texas. Her favorite things about being an Aggie are the football games and the friendly atmosphere. As a kitchen assistant, she has learned how to prepare things in an allotted amount of time and work with a team. Her favorite part of working at BGCC is being surrounded by such a diverse group of people that she is able to learn about various cultures and meals. After graduation, she hopes to work in pharmaceutical sales with scientific medical devices. When asked how her experiences at BGCC are preparing her for the future, Addison shared, “I have learned skills such as problem solving, time management and expanded my knowledge on nutrition and preparation.”

Bridget is a sophomore nutrition major with a minor in genetics from Katy, Texas. Her favorite things about being an Aggie are the Aggie network and spirit. Bridget is excited to work at BGCC because she has the opportunity to try diverse food options. As a kitchen assistant, she has learned food safety practices and how to cook for large numbers of people. Her favorite part of working at BGCC are the opportunities to grow. After graduation, she hopes to work as a clinical dietitian in pediatrics. When asked how her experiences at BGCC are preparing her for the future, Bridget shared, “I am continuously gaining experience in the dietetic field, learning time management and general knowledge of nutrition.”

Rebekah is a sophomore nutrition major from Boyd, Texas. Her favorite thing about being an Aggie is the community, everyone is nice and welcoming. Rebekah is excited to work at BGCC because she will be gaining experience for her future career. As a kitchen assistant, she has learned how to properly cook for large numbers of people. Her favorite part of working at BGCC is the staff she is surrounded by. After graduation, she hopes to serve as a dietitian at a local hospital. When asked how her experiences at BGCC are preparing her for the future, Rebekah shared, “I am developing cooking skills, helping people develop a healthy lifestyle in a childcare setting and learning how food affects the body.”

We are excited to have each of these nutrition students as kitchen assistants at BGCC. We cannot wait to watch them spread knowledge on healthy and happy lifestyles!