Aramark Student Nutrition and Willingboro Township Public Schools Partner to Offer Essential Job Skills for Students

High school students in Willingboro Township Public Schools are gaining direct access to hospitality career pathways through a new learning partnership with Aramark Student Nutrition. Willingboro High School has expanded its Work‑Based Learning Program to include a culinary arts track in partnership with Aramark, offering students practical experience inside professional food service operations and early exposure to hospitality careers, as well as the nationally recognized ServSafe certification.

“This expanded partnership reflects a shared belief between Aramark Student Nutrition and Willingboro Township Public Schools that supporting students means more than serving meals. It means opening doors,” said Tiffany Rhodes, Aramark Student Nutrition Food Service Director. “Being a true partner goes beyond providing nutrition. It’s about understanding the needs of students and helping them explore the possibilities ahead of them.”

From Classroom to Commercial Kitchen

The culinary-focused component of the program launched earlier this year when students toured Aramark Student Nutrition’s central kitchen in the district. Following that visit, three students selected the site as their official work placement for the Work-Based Learning Program, joining existing work-based learning cohorts who rotate through various departments across the district. 

The culinary students spend part of their school day immersed in the day-to-day operations of a commercial kitchen. Their training includes the fundamentals of kitchen prep, knife skills, inventory management, and food safety practices. Aramark’s district chef, who brings extensive experience from both student nutrition and retail culinary environments, mentors the students directly.

“It’s all about career readiness,” Rhodes said. “Giving students the confidence and exposure they need to feel prepared—whether they choose a future in hospitality or simply want to understand how a professional kitchen works.”

Certifications and Career Skills

In addition to hands-on training, Aramark Student Nutrition plans to help students earn their ServSafe certification. This credential can support future employment opportunities during summer breaks or after graduation. The team is also working with district teachers to design sessions on interviewing skills, resume preparation, and workplace readiness—practical lessons that students can carry into any career field.

In April, culinary students visited Aramark’s global headquarters in Philadelphia, where they had a firsthand look at culinary development in the K–12 space. The visit included an inside view of how school nutrition menu items are developed, as well as exposure to potential career pathways they could pursue in the future.