Florida schools let students taste and choose lunch

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Two hundred kids from 15 different schools in Hillsborough County were given the chance to try out new food options for next year’s school lunch menu at the sixth annual Fresh Flavors Food for Body and Mind Expo Wednesday at TPepin's Hospitality Centre.

The smoothies, strawberry French toast, Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and rice and chicken were just a few of the favorites students mentioned.

"This really depends on if we like it or not. If we don't, we'll probably never have this again and this is probably the one opportunity to try new things," student Zachary Faircloth said.

Dr. Mary Kate Harrison with Hillsborough County Schools says  the purpose is to provide healthy menus that are kid tested and approved.

"We're trying to get them interested in tasting new flavors and enjoying new menu concepts, something besides pizza and chicken nuggets,” Harrison said.

Every station was equipped with an iPad. Students were asked to answer five questions about the food they were trying. Those answers will be used to help determine which foods are most popular.