HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. — Getting kids to eat fruit and vegetables can be challenging, but not for Humboldt County Juvenile Hall kitchen supervisor Beth Bailey, who has been with the county for over 10 years.
Bailey said the kitchen is where her heart is.
“I’m just a healthy plate of food and a smile, and that’s what I like about my job,” said Bailey.
Last year, Bailey applied for a 13-month Chef Ann Foundation’s Healthy School Food Pathway fellowship to implement healthier food options for youth.
“The program is a capstone project, so it’s a $5,000 grant to do something at any site to promote scratch cooking,” said Bailey.
As part of her project, Bailey has been making healthier meals; with the help of the garden, she and some of the kids at the hall have been growing.
“So we’ve got bok choy right here, mustard greens, we have some flowers to put in for color and diversity,” said Bailey.
Bailey loves to cook and said that this program is something she takes pride in. She hopes the kids enjoy her meals.
“Especially in jail or in school, lunch has a bad reputation. like you see in cartoons. Parodies all the time of the lunch lady and the lunch slop, but having a nice, healthy plate of food is, I think, dignifying,” said Bailey.
