Texas high school students spice things up at lunch

Crushed red pepper, lemon pepper, Mexican Blend (garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, Cayenne Pepper, chili powder), Italian seasoning, hot sauce and Cajun season are helping Copperas Cove High School students spice things up in the cafeteria.

Copperas Cove Independent School District Director of Child Nutrition Melissa Bryan wanted to cater to the mature tastes that most high school students now have when eating foods by placing a “Spice It” station at the high school. The cart features six different spices and hot sauce that students are allowed to sprinkle on their food.

“A lot of the students complain that the food is bland or no taste with the new guidelines from (U.S. Department of Agriculture). One reason things might be different in taste is we have to include every spice in our recipes into the nutrient analysis that we must provide on each item. This includes ketchup and mustard and any other condiment,” she said. “All of the spices on the cart are sodium-free and meant to enhance the food that we are currently serving and hopefully give the students who have more mature palettes another way to enjoy the food they are purchasing in the cafeteria.”

The hot sauce and pepper flakes were among the most popular with students such as sophomore Kevin Healon.

“I always like spicy food and want to add a little pepper,” he said. “These spices just add more flavor to our food.”

JROTC Instructor Chief Warrant Officer 3 Enrique Herrera said the spice station has been a welcome addition for the students.

“Kids are impressed with that spice rack,” he said. “I heard the kids talking about it. The Tabasco Sauce is the most popular and these are good things to put in food.”

If the Spice It station is successful, Bryan plans to move the same pilot program to the junior high schools.