Home Run for School Meals & Community Connections

Play ball!  Students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (NC) stepped up to the plate for a baseball-themed celebration that knocked it out of the park. The district partnered with the Charlotte Knights for an engaging and memorable school meal event to celebrate Opening Day of baseball.

The excitement started early when the Knights’ mascot, Homer, made a special visit to Mint Hill Elementary on March 12 to hype the upcoming Knights & Bites Ballpark Bash coming to cafeterias across the district. From handing out high-fives and receiving big smiles, Homer served lunch, greeted students and reminded everyone that healthy choices are always a home run.

“When Opening Day arrived, we were able to turn the cafeteria into a ballpark experience for our students,” said Catherine Essick, Executive Director of School Nutrition Services for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. “Seeing their excitement and engagement throughout the day really shows the impact these partnerships can have.”

The Knights & Bites Ballpark Bash menu competition created fun engagements for students with matchups like corn dog vs. cheeseburger twins and BBQ pork nachos vs. kielbasa. One clear winner stepped up to the plate: Stadium Pulled Pork Nachos. Loaded with Carolina-style BBQ, cheese and customizable toppings like jalapeños, tomatoes, lettuce and sour cream, the dish was a hit.

The themed menu and Homer’s visit sparked excitement across the cafeteria, turning lunchtime into an experience students won’t soon forget.

“Students loved it! These types of partnerships connect students to their community,” Essick added.

This celebration was a big home run, boosting school meal participation, building school pride and making school meal time even more meaningful for students.