Celebrating National School Lunch Week

National School Lunch Week provides schools and students the opportunity to learn more about the healthy changes made in the cafeteria. Often celebrated with events, special guests, custom menus and nutrition education activities, the purpose remains to help educate students, parents and communities about the nutritional value of school lunch.

At Ritenour School District in St Louis, MO, new vegetarian entrees were introduced and taste tested by high school students during National School Lunch Week (NSLW). Spicy Black Bean Burgers with Sriracha Ketchup were sampled along with Sweet Chickpeas with Brown Rice. Eggplant was on the sampling menu for October too!

At the district’s Marion Elementary School, students had their first “Try-Day” of the year, featuring Harvest Delight, a colorful medley of seasonal roasted vegetables and fruits. The samples were so popular with students, there wasn’t any left by the last lunch wave!  Just a week before, students at the district’s Buder Elementary sampled Aztec Grain Salad featuring quinoa, butternut squash, apples, raisins and dried cranberries for Try-Day!

Parents also got in on the NSLW action. So many changes have taken place since generations of parents hit their own school cafeteria lines, coming to lunch with their kids was eye opening for many.

At Dundee Elementary Academy in Dundee, FL, nearly 250 parents, grandparents and family members joined students for lunch as part of national Take Your Parents to Lunch Day. This special event during NSLW provides schools with ideas and resources to host caregivers for lunch, providing FAQs, invitations and check lists to help special lunch celebrations run smoothly.