Bowling Green, Kentucky, September 1, 2025
News Summary
Warren County Public Schools has officially opened the STAR Center, a facility dedicated to enhancing staff training and improving student nutrition. The center will focus on developing engaging menus and providing comprehensive training on modern kitchen technologies for over 230 nutrition and dining staff. With cutting-edge cooking equipment and a dedicated space for skill development, the STAR Center aims to elevate the quality of meals served in schools and meet evolving nutritional standards.
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) officially opened the STAR Center, an acronym for Serving, Training, and Advanced Resources, on August 24, 2025. The new facility aims to enhance staff training and improve student nutrition throughout the district. The center plays a crucial role in developing menus that engage students while adhering to evolving nutritional standards.
The STAR Center will facilitate the development of new recipes and provide comprehensive training on modern kitchen technologies, thereby elevating the quality and presentation of meals served within schools. Kelly Holt, WCPS’s Director of Nutrition and Dining Services, highlighted the significance of appealing meal presentation and taste in promoting student engagement in school dining options.
In the past year, WCPS served over 4.1 million meals to students, not accounting for after-school snacks or meals provided during the summer months. The STAR Center offers a dedicated space for nutrition and dining staff to focus on learning and refining their skills, free from the distractions of busy school kitchens.
The new facility is equipped with top-of-the-line cooking technologies that include wheeled convection ovens, steam-jacketed tilting kettles, and Winston cookers. Expanding over approximately 8,000 square feet, the STAR Center was constructed at a cost of around $2.5 million.
As part of its mission, the STAR Center will house the newly established Star Center Academy, which will serve more than 230 nutrition and dining employees from WCPS. The academy will offer staff the opportunity to undergo hands-on training to enhance their skills in food preparation and the utilization of sophisticated cooking equipment.
Since its opening, the STAR Center has improved the efficiency of menu planning and execution. In June and July alone, over 235,000 meals were served, with 80% of those meals prepared at the center itself. This demonstrates the immediate impact the STAR Center has had on dining services within the district.
The STAR Center’s commitment to addressing modern nutritional expectations reflects the changes that have transpired over the last decade. Experts in the field anticipate that nutrition standards will continue to evolve, which will require innovative approaches to meal service and content in schools. The transition from recipe development happening in active school kitchens, where resources are limited, to a dedicated site allows staff to concentrate on enhancing meals without interruptions.
The progressive nature of the STAR Center underlines WCPS’s commitment to maximizing the nutritional quality of meals provided to students while remaining adaptable to future changes in food service and nutrition protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the STAR Center?
The STAR Center is a facility established by Warren County Public Schools aimed at enhancing nutrition and dining services through training and innovative kitchen resources.
When was the STAR Center officially opened?
The STAR Center was opened on August 24, 2025.
What type of training will the STAR Center provide?
The center will provide training for over 230 nutrition and dining employees, focusing on advanced kitchen technology and recipe development.
How many meals did WCPS serve last year?
Warren County Public Schools served over 4.1 million meals in the last school year, excluding after-school snacks and summer meals.
What modern technologies are included in the STAR Center?
The STAR Center features modern cooking technologies such as wheeled convection ovens, steam-jacketed tilting kettles, and Winston cookers.
How much did it cost to build the STAR Center?
The STAR Center was built at an estimated cost of $2.5 million.
Key Features of the STAR Center
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Facility Size | Approximately 8,000 square feet |
| Cost | About $2.5 million |
| Meals Served Last Year | Over 4.1 million, excluding snacks and summer meals |
| Employee Training | Training for over 230 nutrition and dining employees |
| Culinary Equipment | Includes wheeled convection ovens, steam-jacketed tilting kettles, and Winston cookers |
| Meal Preparation Efficiency | 80% of meals served in June and July were prepared at the STAR Center |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Bowling Green Premieres ‘World Without Cows’ Documentary
Bowling Green Initiatives Focus on Nutrition and Sustainability
Bowling Green Hosts Food Drive for Veterans
Bowling Green Hosts Kentucky’s 31st Commodity Conference
Additional Resources
- WNKY News: Warren County Public Schools Cuts Ribbon on New STAR Center
- WBKO: WCPS Opens New STAR Nutrition Facility
- BG Daily News: WCPS Opens S.T.A.R. Test Kitchen to Enhance Recipes & Trainings
- Google Search: Warren County Public Schools STAR Center
- Wikipedia: Nutrition in Schools
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
