MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Students Lead the Way at the Miami-Dade Student Food Show
More than 600 students and 60 food vendors gathered at the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Student Food Show for an exciting day of tasting, voting, and shaping the future of school meals. Students from across the district sampled everything from savory entrées to snacks and desserts. Their mission? Help decide which foods might appear on school menus next year. After tasting different items, students placed ballots for their favorites. The top choices could soon become part of the district’s menu. Elementary school leaders from Pinecrest Elementary took their roles seriously. Student Council Vice President Jackson quickly found a favorite.
“The meatballs were really good,” he said, adding confidently that school meals are delicious. Student Council President Ebenor was also on a mission. She explained that students were testing foods so they could recommend “better options or new foods we can add to the lunch menu.” High school Student Nutrition Ambassadors helped guide the experience and shared how student feedback directly impacts school menus. One ambassador explained that after students suggested pizza shouldn’t be served with green beans, the district switched the side to corn, and participation increased. The event also highlighted how students’ tastes are evolving. One student described crunchy dried edamame with “umami flavor,” while
another compared a sweet cheese pastry with strawberry sauce to cheesecake. But beyond the food, the event was about something bigger: student voice. Miami-Dade Food and Nutrition Services Executive Director Angie Kasselakis said the most rewarding part of the event is hearing students say they feel their voices matter when it comes to school meals. With hundreds of students tasting, voting, and sharing feedback, the Student Food Show proves that when students help shape the menu, everyone wins. And judging by the excitement in the room, the future of school meals in Miami-Dade is still looking very bright and very delicious.
20 | Healthy Harvest Spring 2026
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