Portage Township Schools Food Services

We're proud to celebrate our Food Service Director as she continues her professional training through the Chef Ann Foundation at the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) this week!

Dawn Kelley's dedication to learning, growth, and bringing the very best to our students reflects our district's commitment to healthy, high-quality school meals. We are excited to support her journey and can't wait to see the positive impact this training will have on our school nutrition program.

Congratulations, and thank you for your commitment to our students and community! 👏🍎🥗

Our Summer Meal Program is up and running! Free breakfast and lunch are served Monday through Thursday at Central Elementary School and Portage High School. Hours and menus are available on our website at www.portage.k12.in.us. This is open to all children ages 18 and younger.

🥒🎉 Get Ready for a Cucumber Craze This Summer! 🎉🥒

Things are about to get dill-lightfully exciting at Portage Township Schools! 🌞

The Portage Township Schools Food Service Department is thrilled to be participating in the Cucumber Craze Initiative with the Indiana Grown for Schools Network and the Indiana Department of Education! 🌱💚

We're not just talking about cucumbers—we're growing our own right here at the PTS Food Service Department! Keep your eyes peeled as our Parade and Kosara cucumbers start climbing their way to greatness. 🥒📈

And don't forget to say hello to our cool-as-a-cucumber mascot, Cucumber Carl! 😎🥒 Carl will be popping up all summer long with fun cucumber facts, activity sheets, and exciting updates on our growing garden.

So stay tuned—we're in quite a pickle of fun, and things are only going to get vine and dandy from here! 🌿

📸❤️ A special moment on the last day of school at Aylesworth!

We were honored to have Mayor Austin Bonta stop by and take a photo with our amazing Food Service Team. As another school year comes to a close, we want to recognize these dedicated individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our students nourished, welcomed, and cared for every day.

Thank you, Mayor Bonta, for taking the time to celebrate the people who make a difference in our schools, and thank you to our Food Service Team for your hard work, kindness, and commitment throughout the year.

We could not be more proud of our Food Service Director, Dawn Kelley, whose passion, innovation, and commitment to student wellness continue to make a lasting impact across Portage Township Schools. We are excited to see the continued positive impact of her fellowship journey and grateful to have her leading the way! Chef Ann Foundation

Click on the link below to follow the journey!

Fellowship helping Portage’s food service director stir up program Portage Township Schools Food Service Director Dawn Kelley had homework due on Friday. She’s one of 23 school food service professionals nationwide to have been granted a 2026 Healthy School Food Pathway fellowship through the Chef Ann F…

Our Food Service Director had the incredible opportunity to visit Area 2 Farms in Washington, D.C. as part of her fellowship training experience. Seeing firsthand how urban farming, sustainability, and community partnerships come together to strengthen local food systems was both inspiring and energizing.
Experiences like this continue to shape our vision for student nutrition: creating meaningful connections between the food we serve, the people who grow it, and the communities nourished everyday.

📌This week, our Food Service Director attended the Indiana School Nutrition Association Connection Tour at Chesterton High School.
We are excited for the opportunity to connect with fellow school nutrition professionals as their Food Service Director for the Duneland School Corporation hosted a behind the scenes tour of their facility! 🙌Events like this provide valuable opportunities to collaborate, exchange ideas and continue improving the dining experience for students everyday!

Big things are growing… and you’re invited to watch the magic happen! Our Parade and Kosara Cucumbers are officially on their journey from tiny seeds to crunchy, fresh veggies—and now our students, families, and community can follow along every step of the way! 🌱👀

Did you know? Cucumbers are made up of about 95% water, making them a super refreshing (and hydrating!) snack. They grow on vines and love sunshine, water, and a little patience—just like us! ☀️💧

Click the link below to check in on their progress, see how they climb and grow, and celebrate each new leaf along the way. Who knows… you might even feel inspired to grow your own! 🌿

🔗 Watch them grow here: https://canva.link/cucumbercraze

From seed to snack, it’s all part of the journey to fresh, healthy choices! 💚Indiana Grown for Schools Network

We’re celebrating National School Lunch Hero Day Friday, May 1st! 🥳Join us in recognizing the amazing kitchen teams who fuel our students with care, dedication, and a whole lot of heart. Our Lunch Heroes truly make a difference every day! 😍Take a peek at this sweet artwork a student created to celebrate our National School Lunch Heroes at Kyle Elementary! 🎨🍎