Hospital Helps Local K-12 District With Menu Upgrades

Hancock (MI) Public Schools is teaming up with local healthcare provider Portage Health Nutrition Services to redesign its school lunch menu using more fruits, vegetables and other nutrient-rich foods, reports local news station ABC 10. The district's foodservice director, Renee Salani, worked with Nutrition Services Director Mark Pittillo on a series of recipes such as spaghetti made with whole-wheat pasta and homemade turkey meat sauce, and pizza made with a multi-grain crust and fresh toppings. Portage Health has been emphasizing the need to fight childhood obesity and the partnership seemed like a natural way to extend that initiative, the principals say.