My Latest Book

The Story Of The Farmers'
Market Salad Bar Program

Discover the transformative journey of a groundbreaking salad bar initiative in K-12 schools, enhancing nutrition and fostering a connection to local food. This inspiring story highlights the impact on children’s health and the future of school meals.

 

The Story of the Farmers’ Market Salad Bar Program narrates the inspiring tale of how this innovative concept became the first of its kind in K-12 schools across the United States.

It chronicles the pioneering farm-to-school model that revolutionized the way we nourish our children in educational settings. Through the eyes of the man affectionately known as “The Salad Bar Man,” readers are taken on a journey filled with personal anecdotes, challenges, and triumphs.

The author shares insights into the obstacles faced while advocating for healthier school nutrition and the determination required to overcome them.

This narrative not only showcases the establishment of the salad bar program but also emphasizes its broader implications for children’s health and well-being. 

By integrating fresh, locally sourced product  into school meals, the initiative has fostered a deeper understanding of nutrition among students. The program encourages children to make healthier food choices, ultimately shaping their lifelong eating habits.

As the story unfolds, readers will discover the collaborative efforts of educators, parents, and local farmers, all working together to create a sustainable model that benefits the entire community. The impact of the Farmers’ Market Salad Bar extends beyond the cafeteria, inspiring a movement that advocates for better food systems in schools nationwide. This book serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for anyone passionate about improving the nutritional landscape for future generations.

Product Details:

Paperback
5 x 8 inches
152 pages
ISBN: 979-8-3188-0502-8

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About the Author

About Rodney K. Taylor

Rodney K. Taylor is an award-winning, nationally recognized school nutrition consultant, trainer, speaker, mentor, and coach. With more than 34 years of leadership experience in school districts across California and Virginia, Rodney has dedicated his career to transforming school nutrition programs into models of excellence, innovation, and community impact.

Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Rodney served as Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia — the tenth largest school district in the United States. The district serves 186,000 students across 196 schools, provides approximately 149,000 meals daily, employs 3,300 nutrition professionals, and operates with an annual budget of $21 million. Under his leadership, the program strengthened its operational effectiveness, expanded innovation, and enhanced its national visibility.

A noted pioneer and nationally recognized expert in Farm to School salad bars, Rodney is best known for launching the Farmers’ Market Salad Bar Program in 1997 while serving as Director of Food and Nutrition Services for the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District in California. This groundbreaking initiative helped inspire the national farm-to-school and fresh salad bar movement, positioning school nutrition programs as catalysts for healthier communities and systemic change.

Throughout his career, Rodney has developed and implemented numerous creative and innovative programs that elevated school nutrition beyond the cafeteria — helping to reshape public perception and influence positive change nationwide.

Rodney has served on several influential boards and advisory groups, including:

  • The California State Board of Food and Agriculture

  • The University of California President’s Advisory Commission for Agriculture and Natural Resources

  • The Chef Ann Foundation

  • Real Food for Kids

  • Food Corps

  • The Network for a Healthy California Executive Committee

Rodney resides in Riverside, California.