Kentucky District Brings Color and Competition to Meals

The nutrition staff at Hopkins County Schools in western Kentucky is finding new ways to enhance school meals through an effort called Color Counts. The initiative emphasizes colorful fruits and vegetables on cold bars throughout cafeterias. Students choose from options including sweet peppers, broccoli, mixed greens, pineapple and watermelon to add to their meals.

Color Counts was developed as one of a number of programs to help encourage new menu ideas through friendly competitions among nutrition staff. Fostering creativity and celebrating each other’s efforts has led to many positive menu additions for students to enjoy.

Serving about 4,500 students across 12 schools, the district focuses on serving appealing, fresh meals supported through strong staff engagement and creating a sense of pride within the food service department.

“We know kids eat with their eyes,” said Scott Moore, Director of Child Nutrition. “If it looks good and it’s colorful, students are more likely to try it.”

Local produce sourcing plays an important role in keeping menus fresh and interesting. The district works closely with local farmers, aquaponics programs and FFA chapters to serve items such as sweet corn, specialty watermelons and fresh lettuce.

“We meet with our farmer each spring to choose what gets planted,” Moore shared. “That way, we know what is growing and students get fresher foods and more variety.”

Staff creativity is encouraged through hands-on initiatives like the Roll Rumble, a homemade bread roll competition between school cafeteria staff. The Victory for Vegetables initiative had cafeteria teams submit vegetable-based dishes such as strawberry feta salad, diced sweet potatoes and cucumber pepper salad to be considered for student trays.

“These competitions give our teams ownership and recognition,” Moore said. “And the winning recipes make it onto our menus.”

Together, these initiatives boost participation, introduce students to new foods, and boosts cafeteria team morale behind the scenes.

“Good food, good presentation and supporting our people, that’s what it’s all about,” Moore said.