Learning at Lunchtime

The elementary teachers and Stephens dining service, Aramark, would like to introduce you and your family to our new 2010-2011 lunch menu. We collaborated with Aramark to help us create a healthier menu and establish an educational experience for students to learn about local food options and sustainability. (This includes our own garden too!)

The lunch choices contain fewer fried and processed foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and meals that require using utensils. We are also only offering white milk this year (no sugary chocolate milk!). Aramark is also supporting us by sending smaller portions, reusable plates and silverware. We feel it is important for students to practice using utensils along with table manners. Through these changes in our menu we feel we are helping to educate our students on the importance of sustainability and ways of bringing it into their daily lives.

Take a look at this video to learn more about the importance of teaching our children about food.

How does this affect us in the classroom? Students will help to set the table with silverware and napkins. The smaller portion size will lead to less waste, any food waste will be scraped into our class compost bin. The plates and silverware will be sent back to campus dining where they will be washed and reused the next day.

If you have any feedback, menu ideas, or suggestions we are willing to take all into consideration. We would love to hear from you!