The MISD Student Nutrition Department began rolling out new and fresh food items to school menus on March 16. The changes include greater varieties of fruit, homemade rolls, grilled chicken sandwiches and whole muscle white chicken breast to be used for chicken nuggets and sandwiches. Director of Student Nutrition, Rita Denton likes what MISD will be providing for the students.
“I like to make food fun and I like to have a colorful line of choices for my customers (the students),” Denton said. “The main thing is that you are getting value for your money and that you are getting full to help you learn and succeed in your classes.”
For the next few years the department will focus on straying from highly processed food and to step toward a more healthy lunch menu. A new app, Nutrislice, allows students instant access to the breakfast and lunch menus, and also allows them to submit feedback and rate the food. Junior Richard Odak believes that it would be beneficial to students and teachers alike to try out the new meals.
“I think it’s a great start to eating healthy and smart,” Odak said. “If the nutrition department would give out free samples of the new fruits and meals people would at least try them instead of judging them.”
The homemade rolls have fewer ingredients and will only be served to the high school campuses until the 2015-16 school year when it will be brought to other grade levels. Freshly made cinnamon rolls and muffins and homemade meatloaf and spaghetti sauce will also be added to the menu. The student nutrition department plans to create a lunch line in which a student can custom make their meals with more fresh food items.
“We have lots of surprises and big plans in store for [the students],” Denton said. “We have a very strong operations team and the support team is fabulous as well. We are here to serve the students.”
