5 things: Ultraprocessed foods provide two-thirds of kids and teens calories, study finds

In this edition of 5 Things, Food Management highlights five things you may have missed recently about developments affecting onsite dining.

Here’s your list for today:

 1.    Ultraprocessed foods provide most kid and teen calories, study finds

Children and teens in the United States now get more than two-thirds of their calories from ultraprocessed foods, an analysis of almost two decades worth of data has found. Ultraprocessed foods such as frozen pizza, microwave meals, packaged snacks and desserts accounted for 67% of calories consumed in 2018, up from 61% in 1999, according to research published in the medical journal JAMA. The study analyzed the diet of 33,795 children and adolescents nationwide.

Read more: Ultraprocessed foods now account for two-thirds of calories in the diets of children and teens

 2.    Manager stole $100,00 from hospital cafeteria

Nicholas Petasek has pleaded no contest to theft in a business setting after being charged with stealing about $150,000 from two employers, including over $100,000 when he worked as cafeteria manager at Bellin Hospital in Wisconsin between January and June of this year. Hospital security officials had noticed that about $101,000 that was recorded was never taken to the bank to be deposited and a review of security video showed Petasek removing money bags from a safe, moved to an area where the camera's view was obstructed, then walked out wearing a backpack. Police say they found empty money bags from Bellin Health in Petasek's bedroom.

Related:5 things: Compass North America saw 17.4% revenue increase in fiscal 2023

Read more: Former manager convicted of stealing $150,000 from Green Bay bar and hospital cafeteria

3.    Support workers file grievances with Kansas City Schools over raises and policies

In a matter of months, the union representing maintenance, custodial and cafeteria workers at Kansas City Public Schools went from a cordial relationship with the district to filing seven class-action grievances. The grievances include allegations that the district hasn’t delivered all raises laid out in the latest labor contract, has disciplined workers for using leave they’re entitled to and didn’t give them orientation they were promised, said Rose Welch, the lead organizer for Service Employees International Union Local 1 in Kansas City.

Read more: Kansas City Public Schools face grievances from maintenance and cafeteria workers’ union

 4.    NAU Dining feeds Thanksgiving meal to area seniors

Northern Arizona University (NAU) Campus Dining staff served hundreds of pounds of turkey, potatoes and pie last Thursday as part of an annual community Thanksgiving dinner for Flagstaff senior citizens. The community dinner has been an annual tradition at NAU since at least 2006, said Campus Dining marketing manager William Brandt. “It’s without a doubt one of any Campus Dining employee’s favorite events throughout the year,” he said.

Related:5 things: Aramark launches video series to promote K-8 nutrition

Read more: NAU Campus Dining hosts Flagstaff senior citizens for Thanksgiving meal

 5.    Elior reports 2023 fiscal results

Paris-based Elior Group announced fiscal year 2023 revenues increased 11.2% organically over 2022, with most of the increase generated in European operations. Revenue growth for operations outside Europe, which includes the company's North American unit, was flat, increasing only from 1,256 million to 1,260 million Euros for the year.

Read more: Elior now stronger and more agile

Bonus: Top 12 college and university food service stories of 2023

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]