10/28/2025
October wraps us in fall’s golden colors—crisp mornings, turning leaves, and that gentle reminder the year’s winding down. But not before our little town packs in plenty of good stuff. The calendar’s buzzing with feel-good happenings, community wins, and chances to show up for one another. Case in point: the first of two stories this month proves how PASSION can make all the difference. 🍎🥗🍝
FEEDING FUTURES—ONE PLATE AT A TIME
If you’ve ever stood in the Red Bluff High quad during lunch, you know—it’s a well-oiled machine. Behind those bustling lines and trays of hot meals is a powerhouse crew that keeps our community’s young people fed, fueled, and ready to tackle the day.
Every single school day, the Red Bluff Joint Union High School District Nutrition Services team provides breakfast, lunch, and supper to students at both Red Bluff and Salisbury High Schools—upwards of 1,800 meals a day. Add in the 275–300 suppers they prepare for the SERRF after-school programs at Berrendos, Antelope, Los Molinos, Vina, and Ge**er Elementary Schools, and you’ve got one mighty operation humming from 6 am to 2:30 pm.
All of this is made possible through the National School Lunch Program and Child and Adult Care Feeding Program—ensuring that every single student has access to three well-balanced meals a day at no cost. It’s nourishment with purpose, built on precision, care, and a team that knows exactly what it takes to keep things running smoothly.
Out of that daily rhythm came something extraordinary. After the pandemic, Spartan Plaza Catering was born—an idea sparked by then-Director Marissa Stevens and now carried forward by Jaci Westbrook, RBHS Director of Nutrition Services. What started as a creative way to sustain staffing and grow the department has flourished into a full-service catering operation serving schools, businesses, and community groups across Tehama and Shasta Counties.
With six industrial ovens, temperature-controlled delivery, and a kitchen that can handle multiple orders at once, Spartan Plaza can bring the good stuff straight to your event. Their catering menu features favorites like yogurt parfaits and farmer’s breakfast skillets, fresh sandwiches and wraps, pasta dishes like chicken alfredo with garden salad, and beautifully built platters for any occasion. Whether you need boxed meals, buffet service, or a staffed event—they’ve got you covered, all at incredibly competitive pricing thanks to smart bulk buying and efficient menu design.
Here’s the best part: when you hire Spartan Plaza Catering, your dollars go right back into the program. Catering revenue helps maintain their delivery van, support staffing hours, and fund the creative side of their work. It’s what allows Catering Lead Tashia Nichols and team members Bertha Morales, Danielle Hart, and Nancy Jennings (who’s logged more than 25 years of service!) to keep innovating, keep cooking from scratch, and keep showing up for students every day.
This isn’t just about great food—it’s about community reinvestment. Spartan Plaza has operated without drawing on the district’s general fund, proving that smart, sustainable programming can fuel opportunity.
The heart of Spartan Plaza beats strong thanks to a crew of hard-working, big-hearted women—many of them parents of Spartans themselves. Their days run on a bell schedule, but they never lose sight of the joy in what they do: feeding kids, supporting schools, and serving the community with flavor and flair. From prepping scratch-made lasagna and Mandarin orange chicken to dreaming up new catering recipes, they bring passion to every shift.
“This team shows up every single day with grit, heart, and a good dose of laughter,” shared Westbrook. “They care deeply about our students and take pride in serving meals that are made with intention and a whole lot of love.”
And that’s what makes this story special. It isn’t just about meals served or events catered—it’s about a team that moves in sync, builds each other up, and pours heart into everything they create. Spartan Plaza isn’t just feeding students; they’re fueling futures, one tray, one platter, one perfectly packed lunch at a time.
Ready to Cater Your Next Event?
Spartan Plaza Catering is already the go-to for schools, trainings, business meetings, and volunteer events across the region—but they’d love to cater your next gathering, too.
👉 View their menu online: https://www.spartanplaza.org/
📧 Contact: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 530-529-8838
If you don’t see exactly what you need, they’ll work with you to make it happen. So whether it’s a breakfast spread, a working lunch, or a full-on dinner buffet, give this well-oiled machine a whirl. As recent satisfied customers, trust us—your guests (and your budget) will thank you.
CATCH THE REST OF OUR NEWSLETTER:
https://mailchi.mp/dollinginsurance.com/communityfirst_oct2025
Written By: Kelley Dolling
Client/Community Outreach & Medicare
Dolling Insurance
Red Bluff High School
