Schools Don’t Let Fall Break Sideline Lunch Week Celebrations
Fulton County Schools in Atlanta (GA) didn’t let their Columbus Day holiday break get in the way of celebrating the importance of National School Lunch Week (NSLW). Even though schools were closed October 9-13, Fulton County honored NSLW October 16-20 with a whole week of exciting events and school meals. Roughly 7.9 million healthy school lunches are prepared for more than 91,000 Fulton County students each year.
“School lunches are healthier than ever, with more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and less fat and sodium,” said Alyssia Wright, executive director of the district’s School Nutrition Program. “National School Lunch Week helps us educate parents and students about all the benefits of our lunch program, and the appealing choices we offer.”
At the elementary school level, students enjoyed some exciting menu options during NSLW, like tomato soup with grilled cheese, mango chicken with brown rice and a buffalo chicken wrap. The middle and high schools indulged on some delicious shrimp and mac & cheese pizza, General Tso’s chicken, build-your-own nacho bowl or teriyaki chicken bowl and made-to-order deli sub sandwiches.
On Monday, a coloring contest was held at the county’s elementary schools, using NSLW’s theme “Recipes for Success” artwork. Secondary schools started the week off with a fun and creative recipe contest – with the contest winner being featured on school menus.
“Try It Tuesday” was next, with a nod to National Farm to School Month as schools held taste-tests of “Cowboy Caviar,” a mixture of fresh legumes. Food service professionals were excited to show off their fun cowboy gear, complete with hats, handkerchiefs and their very own guest steer!
Celebrity servers were on the menu for Wednesday. Principals, coaches and even Clifford the Big Red Dog paid a visit to the cafeteria to help serve students their healthy and delicious school lunches. Students enjoyed seeing new guest faces in the cafeteria.
Food service managers were hard at work on Thursday, mixing a special blend of spices for the “Shake It Up” chicken of the day recipe with Sriracha Ketchup!
Friday was a creative artwork day, where elementary students created their own posters featuring a favorite lunch menu item they’ve enjoyed at their school.
Grand prizes were given out to contest winners, who took home a culinary gift set, which included a whisk, cutting board, apron, chef hat and measuring spoon set!
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