Servsafe Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: CACFP Cook Employment Type: W-2 Employee (Non-Exempt) Reports To: Center Director, Program Administrator, Assistant Director

The CACFP Cook is responsible for preparing, cooking, and serving nutritious meals and snacks for children in a commercial kitchen environment, ensuring compliance with USDA CACFP regulations, Virginia Department of Health requirements, and all applicable food safety standards. This position requires the ability to independently manage daily kitchen operations, prepare meals on-site, maintain documentation, and maintain a clean and organized kitchen environment. The CACFP Cook will model KALE's values of excellence, safety, inclusion, and care, while promoting positive nutrition habits and healthy attitudes toward food.

• Operate and manage a full commercial kitchen in compliance with CACFP, VDH, and food safety regulations, ensuring meal preparation meets the highest standards.
• Prepare and serve meals and snacks on-site using approved ingredients, following CACFP meal patterns and portion requirements.
• Collaborate with teachers and administrators to accommodate food allergies, special diets, cultural considerations, and medical meal modifications, while maintaining accurate documentation.
• Prepare, store, label, and handle infant formula, breast milk, and infant foods in accordance with VDH, CACFP, and infant feeding safety requirements.
• Ensure all bottles and infant food items are properly labeled with the child’s name, date, and time.

• Adhere to ServSafe protocols and all Virginia Department of Health food safety requirements, maintaining a safe and clean kitchen environment at all times.
• Accurately complete daily food production records, meal counts, temperature logs, and all required CACFP documentation, ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Use, maintain, and document calibrated food thermometers for cold holding, hot holding, cooking, and refrigeration, ensuring accurate temperature control.
• Safely receive, store, label, rotate, and inventory food and supplies, monitoring expiration dates and food quality.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment at all times, adhering to daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning and sanitizing schedules.
• Dispose of food waste and trash in accordance with health and safety standards, ensuring a safe and healthy environment.

• Assist with menu planning in alignment with CACFP, allergy, cultural, and program requirements, ensuring meals meet the nutritional needs of children.
• Promote positive nutrition habits and healthy attitudes toward food through role modeling and age-appropriate interactions with children, while maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Communicate professionally with families, staff, vendors, and supervisors, maintaining a positive and respectful work environment.
• Participate in fire drills, emergency preparedness activities, and safety training as required, ensuring a safe and prepared workplace.
• Cooperate fully with CACFP monitoring visits, internal reviews, and VDH inspections, providing requested documentation and maintaining a clean and organized kitchen environment.

• At least eighteen (18) years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• Demonstrated ability to operate a full, active commercial kitchen independently
• Minimum one (1) year experience preparing meals in a CACFP-participating program, child care center, school, or institutional food service setting
• Prior CACFP experience required, including meal pattern compliance and recordkeeping
• Completed and current CACFP training
• Current ServSafe Food Handler or ServSafe Food Manager Certification (valid certificate required at time of hire)
• Demonstrated knowledge of CACFP meal components, portion sizes, and food production requirements
• Minimum six (6) months of experience working in a commercial or institutional kitchen
• Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly in English
• Ability to safely lift and carry at least forty (40) pounds
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout an eight (8) hour shift
• Reliable attendance and punctuality
• Professional, respectful, and team-oriented demeanor

• Bilingual or multilingual abilities
• Experience planning menus for food allergies, cultural needs, or medical dietary restrictions
• Familiarity with early childhood education or school-based environments
• Experience with electronic recordkeeping or digital meal documentation

Candidates with the following qualifications will be given preference:

• Bilingual or multilingual abilities
• Experience planning menus for food allergies, cultural needs, or medical dietary restrictions
• Familiarity with early childhood education or school-based environments
• Experience with electronic recordkeeping or digital meal documentation

• Hourly compensation based on experience
• W-2 employee status (not independent contractor)
• Stable work schedule and supportive supervision
• Mission-driven, collaborative work environment
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of children and families

Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence (KALE), powered by the CORE Foundation, is a next-generation early learning ecosystem built to nurture the whole child—mind, heart, spirit, and future potential. Rooted in compassion and community impact, KALE blends strong early childhood fundamentals with STE(AI)M™ innovation, literacy foundations, and character development. Our work is purpose-driven, family-centered, and excellence-focused.