What is a "Band Food Mom"? Well, I have been organizing and delivering dinner and lunch meals to the Saratoga High School marching band for the past 11 years! The marching band is an award winning group and travels to many places. I have been doing this for so long because I have 6 children, and the first 5 have been part of the band. My 6th child will be joining as a freshman this coming year. Many people have asked for the recipes that we make for the kids and thought this would be a great way to share something delicious! Along the way, I will also share some of my favorite recipes that I do not make for the band. Pictures will be added so you can "visualize" what happens when we deliver a meal.
I start with making a menu that is well balanced and nutritious for these very talented teenagers. I organize the items on a grocery list and make assignments to other parents to help with the preparation. I shop almost all day on Friday and on Friday evening, the food items get picked from my house. The parents leave my house with everything they need and pretty detailed instructions. The food returns on Saturday at a designated time. We load up all the food and supplies into 4-5 cars and we are off!
We arrive an hour before the band and color guard. Boundaries are established, tables are set up and preparation to serve the meal begins! When the kids arrive, they are very hungry!! If there wasn't some sort of leadership taking charge, I'm pretty sure the tables would be charged at when they get off the bus. The meal is served by several parent volunteers. Dirty dishes are put away, garbage is collected and we set up for the "after snack" which is usually Cup of Noodles and Hot Chocolate. This snack is eaten after performance and after they change out of their uniforms. You NEVER eat in your uniform!
After the snack if finished off, and I mean finished, garbage is again collected, the area is cleaned up and tables are put back into the truck. Back home we go. Usually arriving back at the school between 11:30pm-2:00am.
