School Meal Taste Test: What’s a Winner?

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pennsylvania − At the lively Fuel Up Food Expo, kids from Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey flocked to taste-test a smorgasbord of potential school meal options. Among the participants was Landon Cierniak, a fourth grader who showed a hint of bashfulness compared to his exuberant classmate, Declan Donnelly, who declared with enthusiasm, “I could eat pounds of this!” while showcasing a sample of mouthwatering macaroni and cheese.

This lively event allowed around 175 students to delve into various culinary offerings and influence the future of cafeteria menus. With a DJ spinning tracks, participants received T-shirts, bags, and stickers. To top it off, Philadelphia Eagles mascot Swoop energized the crowd, encouraging selfies and laughter before the taste-testing commenced.

While Donnelly dove into the rich mac and cheese, Cierniak also savored the flavors of chicken tinga and pulled pork, nodding appreciatively in response to questions about the latter.

Shaping Future Menus with Student Feedback

The American Dairy Association North East, representing approximately 9,000 regional dairy farmers, eagerly collected the students’ feedback. Each participant filled out checklists featuring three emojis for each food item: a thinking emoji for foods they were unsure about, a smile for those they liked, and a beaming smile emoji for their favorites.

The Nutritional Importance of School Meals

Kaitlyn Wilson, a paraprofessional at Upper Merion Middle School, highlighted the significance of **nutritional meals**: “Good food helps children stay prepared and focused.” Wilson guided groups of students through flavorful stations featuring a range of options from empanadas to overnight oats, emphasizing the role of free breakfast provided to all students, giving them a moment to relax before classes officially begin.

Culinary Diversity: A Hit Among Students

For students like Stephane Wynter and Grismary Lopez from Brooklyn South High School, the diverse menu options symbolize their multicultural school community. “We love the variety!” Wynter shared, while Lopez praised the pulled pork, calling it “fantastic, even for someone who typically doesn’t enjoy pork.”

Challenges Faced: Federal Funding Cuts

Recent proposals by the U.S. Department of Agriculture threaten to cut over $1 billion from programs aiding schools and food banks that procure food from local farmers. The School Nutrition Association has voiced concerns about how these cuts could jeopardize the access of millions of children to free meals, particularly during a time of heightened food insecurity.

Katty Peña, director of student culture at West Philadelphia High School, shared the impact of these funding reductions. As she runs an afterschool culinary arts club, she hopes to incorporate new offerings from the expo into her school’s cafeteria.

Making Healthy Choices Accessible

Many students rely on school meals as their primary nutritional source. By ensuring that options are both nutritious and appealing, educators can significantly reduce food waste. “If they don’t like what’s offered, they’ll skip it entirely,” Peña explained, emphasizing the importance of providing students with meal choices that are both exciting and healthy.

Culminating with a Sweet Treat

As the event drew to a close, kids finished their day on a high note with a frosty treat: ice cream! Kristina Moher, senior director for youth engagement at the dairy association, emphasized the importance of gathering students’ opinions to help shape local school meal programs.

In the words of 10-year-old Mayumi Bilal from Upper Merion Area Middle School, “The macaroni and cheese is so good that it melts in your mouth!” Events like the Fuel Up Food Expo not only foster a sense of community but give students a voice in their nutrition, embodying a caring approach to their preferences and well-being.