JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Students attending Duval County Public Schools will have new food choices aimed at healthier eating this fall.
The district is offering a new menu that promises fresh, locally-grown and healthy choices.
School chefs and dietitians worked together this summer to find ways to purchase fresh and local produce, and introduce whole grains and leafy greens to students for lunch.
First grader Mia Boutte said last year’s school lunch was not so tasty.
“One time I bought macaroni and cheese," she said. "And there were these gummies and they were all yucky to me. It all tasted yucky and the only thing I really liked was the apple.”
“Fresh and local flavors are key to our new menu platforms and a priority for many of our students,” said Executive Chef Katie Self of Chartwells K-12, the food service provider for Duval County Public Schools (DCPS)
According to Self, locally-grown produce includes tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and "an entire crop of Satsumas from Cherokee Ranch Farms right here in Florida."
She said this year, the district plans to add more local growers to the list, including Double Blake Farms in Glen St Mary and Florida Classic Growers in Lake Hamilton.
Elementary students will have a beefed up menu. Lunches will include whole grains and kids will have the choice of freshly-made salads along with fruit and veggies.
Middle schoolers will see the most dramatic change in their school lunches. Instead of waiting in buffet-style lines there will be four serving stations much like a mall food court where kids can create their own stir fry or have deli items made to order.
The menu is also changing for high schoolers who'll have a “breakfast-for-lunch day” option featuring scrambled eggs with bacon, cheddar cheese and sautéed mushrooms.
Mia says she'll try the new food but likes the lunches her mom packs. “She usually packs me a banana and a peanut butter cinnamon sandwich sometimes or a peanut butter and jelly or a ham sandwich.”
The new Duval County Public School menus are available at http://www.duvalschools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=9860.