LAUSD Kicks Off Exciting New School Lunch Menus
09.10.2011 by
9.10.2011 The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) unveiled its new menu as well as its I'm In campaign on August 29, 2011 at one of the district's new campuses, Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School.
The districts Superintendent, Dr. John Deasy, along with county public health officials and a former NBA star, called on students to try and enjoy the new menus which exceed current nutritional standards for school meals.
Some of the major changes in the 2011-12 school year include:
- Blackeyed peas, quinoa salad, hummus and creol stew, chickent satay, chipotle turkey carnitas, vegetable curry...and much more!
The new menus also feature a greater variety of fresh-not canned-fruits and vegetables, plain milk, fewer breaded items like nuggets, less cheese (as cheese increases sodium level) broader vegetarian and ethnic options, and no more pizza and peanut butter pockets. These changes will help make nutritious foods appealing, supporting participation and teaching lifelong healthy eating habits. This is also a student-driven menu. LAUSD conducted student taste panels to review the appeal of potential new items, with over 30,000 product samples tested.
LAUSD showcases a few of the 60+ new menu items (from left to right: whole wheat Naan, vegetable curry, baked sweet potato fries)
To view the new menus click here.
The menu launch was widely covered in the media, including a front page article from the LA Times and a short TV segment on ABC 7 News.
To view the article click here.
To view the ABC 7 segment click here.
Featured here is the Greek Salad Bowl, one of many new salads included in this years menu