3 Ways to
School Menus to Fit Every Student and in 2022 , K12 contract feeder Chartwells added 120 plant-forward meal options for schools. In surveying school-aged students, the company found 1 in 3 rated vegetarian or vegan options extremely or very important when choosing lunch at school. Thirty-seven percent said they would eat school lunch more often if there were more vegetarian and vegan choices. Enticing plant-based options include Watermelon Poke Bowl; Tuscan Bean and Basil Penne Salad; Tofu Huevos Rancheros; Thai Sweet Chili Tofu Bowl; and Sweet Potato and Spinach Vindaloo. Cultural Foods and
From restaurants to meal kits, offering customization options has become a menu mainstay. Personalization also fits with trends like plant-based eating and DIY finishes. Plus, personalization allows for flexibility for staff and customers, respects individual differences and helps manage allergies and other special diets. Let’s dive into three ways that school districts can include personalization in student menus, plus ways to put the concept into practice. Plant-Based Menus There are many labels for diets that emphasize plant foods. Vegetarian diets may include cow’s milk, dairy and eggs. Vegan diets exclude all foods derived from animals. People may choose these eating patterns for personal, ethical or religious reasons. There are also varieties of these diets that are popular, like pescatarians, who follow a vegetarian eating pattern that includes fish, or flexitarians, who may occasionally eat animal products. The terms plant-based and plant-forward encourage making plant foods the center of the plate while also including animal products. Six out of 10 Americans report following a vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based diet to be healthier, according to the International Food Information Council . Offering plant-based options in school meals recently became law in California and Illinois ,
Religious Dietary Restrictions Each culture of the world has different eating styles that may include dietary restrictions. Students may eat aligned with their backgrounds and that may influence food choices at school. Religious dietary restrictions may mean animal foods are avoided, like for followers of Hinduism, Buddhism and Seventh Day Adventist. Those who follow Judaism may avoid pork and shellfish and may keep Kosher. Muslims may eat only certified halal meat and have fasting periods during specific times of the year such as Ramadan. Some Christians choose fish on Fridays during the season of Lent. School districts in the state of New York are putting cultural menu offerings into practice. “In Harlem, the meal of the day might be barbecue chicken and collard greens,” according to a recent article . “In Newark, Portuguese-heritage teachers are thrilled to teach their classes the
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