Can’t decide whether to get the turkey Cobb salad, Italian vegetable sandwich on a whole grain wrap or the sweet and sour chicken with Asian vegetable blend? Well, then you could be in line for lunch at one of Atlanta Public School’s high school cafeterias. Don’t forget to check out the daily “salad bowl” offering of leafy greens, cucumbers and tomatoes with a rotating selection of tasty toppings from kidney bean salad to sliced peaches. In fact locally grown peaches are August’s “Produce of the Month” on the Atlanta Public Schools’ School Nutrition website where daily menu items include gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Marilyn Hughes, director of nutrition services for Atlanta Public Schools, said, “We are listening to our customers who are our students, but we’re following nutrition guidelines, too, of course.” So while kid-pleasing pizza is served, the crust is whole-grain and the cheese is reduced fat. Milk got a makeover, too. Now only 1 percent milk and fat-free flavored milks are served. All milk contains the same nine essential nutrients.
Lunch and learn
The colorful website includes links to fitness information and nutrition tips such as adding seasonal veggies to home meals, too.
Corn is featured for August:
• Add corn to your favorite salad recipes using fresh, frozen, or canned corn.
• Stuff corn and black beans into whole-wheat pita pockets for a healthy sandwich.
• Sprinkle corn kernels on pizza for a new take on toppings.
Cobb County Schools menus promote a daily cafeteria category called “vivid veggies” including broccoli dippers and garden spinach salad.
What’s not for lunch?
Foods containing trans fats and whole milk have been kicked out of school. Fried foods are limited. Many who criticize school lunches may not be aware of the recent efforts made to improve meals.
Hughes says, “I believe if more parents knew the full team dedicated to their children’s health including certified chefs, registered dietitians, sustainability and food safety specialists they’d realize we’re working to pack the best nutrition into every bite.” In many school districts you can add farmers to the list, too. Farm-to-school programs are cropping up nationwide including the Georgia Grown initiative.
But will they eat it?
Just as adults can skip the “light entrees” on restaurant menus; kids can ignore the sweet potatoes in favor of the pizza. Hey, why not sweet potato on the pizza? Stay tuned. It may be showing up for class at a school near you.
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