Jared Veldheer is a retired NFL offensive lineman who was searching for a new challenge in Grand Rapids, Michigan last summer when he heard about a job opening.
This was a job at his children’s school in the cafeteria. The Catholic school looked for a worker to oversee the cooking and serve lunch to around 260 students (from preschool to eighth grade).
The manager had quit so the school had to find someone fast since the classes were going to start in two weeks.
Veldheer Applies for the Job & Gets It
Veldheeer, 34, who was once among the most indispensable players in the NFL said that he didn’t want to become the school’s lunch lady, but he thought this could be something he’s able to handle.
Veldheer played for various teams, including the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. He said this job intrigued him because he’s a huge fan of cooking and as a professional athlete and he focused on nutrition a lot.
For around 10 years, he had eaten cautiously and he believes there’s a value in cooking and providing children with nutritious and healthy food. Veldheer has two kids, Eva 6 and Edwin 4, who go to the Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic School.
It’s to Help Out & the Experience, not for the Money, Veldheer Explains
Veldheer got the job and gets $15 per hour, a far lower amount than the millions he used to make at NFL, including the $29 million with the Arizona Cardinals. He says he accepted the job to help out.
When the cafeteria was renamed the SPA 68 Cafe after his NFL uniform number, the parents and students said they immediately noticed a difference in the $3.50 menu for lunch.
The pizza slices with a salty tomato sauce and plenty of greasy cheese became the past, as well as the chicken nuggets, desserts laden with sugar, and fries.
They were now replaced by mashed cauliflower, smoked carnitas, Korean beef bulgogi, and a salad bar. He believed that the children would love it; however, the trick was making them try it out.
He needed some time before he won them over. He says that the kindergarteners are his best critics. He won the kids’ hearts with a lot of patience, beautiful food presentation, and music that accompanies their lunches, as well as a lot of enthusiasm.
Once, to make the students try German sausage and sauerkraut, he dressed up in lederhosen. According to the principal of the school, Michelle Morrow, the healthier food in the cafeteria and the excitement are more than welcome.
The Kids Love Veldheer’s Food
Whatever he makes, Morrow notes, is very yummy and the children and adults appreciate it a lot. For Veldheer, it’s more than just cooking: it’s ensuring the food and the nutrients served are in their best interest.
One of the parents, a mom to students Caroline and Andy, said that one of her kids declined a steak while in a restaurant since they only eat Mr. Veldheer’s “chimichurri steak”.
Veldheer said he never thought that he would trade his shoulder pads for an apron.
At home, his wife, 31-year-old Morgan who’s also the president of the school’s equivalent of the parent-teacher association says that they divide their cooking duties. They regularly welcome criticism from their children.
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