Crescent City Students Compete to Put Recipes on School Menu

Students from Crescent City Junior/Senior High School (CCJSHS) in the Putnam County (FL) School District recently held a recipe contest to determine new additions to the school lunch menu. The five winning entries not only made it to the menu but were published in a recipe book given to all students at the school.

The initiative started when CCJSHS students participating in school nutrition focus groups were asked what they wanted to eat in their school lunches, and they answered that they wanted healthy meals that were similar to what they ate at home.

The contest asked students to share their favorite family healthy recipes. Each submission was required to include whole grains, dark green or orange vegetables (fresh or frozen), or dry beans/peas.

The entries were reviewed by the district's school nutrition professionals to ensure they met USDA nutritional guidelines. Volunteer student judges then sampled the qualified entries and voted the top five. The winning recipes were Sloppy Joes (Moises Ramirez); Tostados (Alexandra Jimenez); Carrot-raisin Salad (Elizabeth Jimenez); Aloha Chicken (Sierra Dzwonczyk); and Pizazz Philly Cheese Sandwiches (Lyleigha Golden).

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL. On April 30, Miguel Villarreal, director of food and nutrition for the Novato (CA) USD, towed 100 pounds of sugar on his bike as part of School Fuel's Annual Tour of Novato and Fun Fair to kick off The Sugar Challenge. He rode from Petaluma to Novato to Pt. Reyes and exchanged it for 100 lbs of fresh produce, then rode back to Novato, a total of 60 miles.

The Sugar Challenge, a two-week event sponsored by NUSD's Food and Nutritional Services, urges families to reduce the amount of highly processed sugar foods, increase consumption of fruits and vegetables and increase daily exercise. A Family Activity Tracker was sent to all families in the district to help them track these goals and turn them back in with their results. The school with the most points received a Free for All healthy luncheon event.