SAN DIEGO — For the first year, students from San Diego Unified School District got to taste and rank what should be cooked up on the school menu. The Taste of San Diego Unified invited Bell Middle School students to taste test different dishes from potential food vendors.
Students offered a variety of feedback on the options presented. 7th grader Lauren Cease tried scones, cowgirl bread and vegan chili. She wasn't crazy about the scones, but she did give a thumbs up to the cowgirl bread and vegan chili. She said the chili was a better alternative to the healthy options typically served at the school.
“This is good, I like it," Cease said. "This is better than the plant-based food they have."
San Diego Unified staff members told the children taste testing that they want to hear student perspectives. It's important feedback for the district.
“It’s kind of best practices in the food service world,” said Alicia Pitrone Hauser, RD, SDUSD Director of Food and Nutrition.
California was the first state to offer universal meals, which means every child receives a free meal. But their taste buds matter as well.
“The standards for school meals are very different than 20 years ago and many years ago when I was in school,” said Pitrone Hauser.
After the students tasted dishes from the six food stations, they ranked each plate. The district will then tally up the votes and consider putting top contenders on the menu for next semester.
“We work really hard for foods that are culturally relevant that meet the needs of dietary restrictions or preferences,” said Pitrone Hauser.
While the students say the classics such as pizza and chicken nuggets remain a favorite, they don’t mind adding new flavors to their healthy appetites.
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