By Kraig Morgan

Hello, I’m Mr. Kraig.

I am thankful to be the Head Cook of the Mobile Teaching Kitchen for the BCOE CalKidz Program. For me, it all started on a farm in the foothills of Grass Valley. Little did I know that one day, I would be following in the footsteps of my mother, the “Lunch Lady.”

About 10 years ago my parents came to me and discussed their new diet. Due to health conditions, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease, they needed to start eating healthier. Thanks to my parents’ help, I decided to start my plant-based journey around five years ago. It’s a journey and a challenge at times, but my health is worth it.  Health is wealth, right?  Fortunately for my parents, eating plant-based with no salt, oil, or sugar helped extend and improve their quality of life.  They are now in their 80s.

Nearly four years ago, I decided to take a chance and apply to BCOE through EdJoin.  Over the years, I graduated from Chico State with a liberal studies degree with the intention of becoming a teacher.  Instead of teaching in the schools I chose to run several successful restaurants. Along the way, my passion grew to lead and teach others how to be a successful team.

Now, I love having a career where I can encourage healthy eating. The MyPlate program offers meals that are half fruit and half veggies.  That is something I promote during food truck events or mealtime selections. 

We put students first by teaching and encouraging them to become successful with good food choices in a world full of bad ones.

My home base kitchen is at BASES Learning Center. We are great at what we do at BASES, which to me is the epitome of “students first.”  It is so refreshing to be on a team where personal growth is not only taught but encouraged.  I am thankful to Mrs. Quave and the BASES team.  The BASES staff are simply amazing at what they do daily.  The student comes first with the nurtured heart approach.  The staff’s consistency to improve themselves, as well as the students they teach, is special.

I am proud to service BASES, Circles, BCCS, Axiom, YMCA, Oroville Live Spot, and Four Winds with a variety of meals.  On top of that, through BCOE CalKidz and the Butte County Office of Education, I have the opportunity to visit school sites and after-school programs. I am very grateful for the small but mighty CalKidz team that helps support me throughout the year in various programs.   

In 2024, my mentor and leader, Julianna, retired after building a successful CalKidz program.  I am honored to help carry on the program.  The CalKidz team enjoyed the opportunity in 2024 to visit 10 sites with 36 events featuring nutritious recipes through SnapEd.  At these events, we educated students about the importance of exercise and movement. Our goal is to help grow healthy kids through cooking and exercise education. 

Lastly, my home base during the summer has been serving summer meals at the YMCA and various sites locally. Through BCOE CalKidz we have been fed people at many local sites.  For many families, these meals help their family get through the summer while the children are home. 

We will continue to put students first by teaching and involving kids and families, and spreading nutrition education across Butte County. I challenge everyone to take care of themselves and never give up on becoming healthier.  We look forward to the next year of events.  At BCOE CalKidz, we put students’ health first.  We love hearing students say, “This is the best day ever.”  CalKidz is ready to thrive in 2025.

Kraig Morgan is the Head Cook of the Mobile Teaching Kitchen for the Butte County Office of Education’s CalKidz Program.

Interested in writing your own BCOE Voices column? Email Communications Officer Travis Souders at tsouders@bcoe.org.