Wichita Schools Restructures Dining Program to Promote Fruit, Veggie Consumption

The Wichita (KS) School District is restructuring its foodservice operation to emphasize more choices of fruits and vegetables, which a pilot program this past school year indicated promotes more consumption of these items by students, reports local station KWCH. The changes required the dismissal of 169 part time workers, who will have an opportunity to reapply for jobs under the new structure, which requires fewer cafeteria workers putting in longer hours. The change was implemented both to help the district comply with federal guidelines requiring more fruits and vegetables in school meals, as well as to reduce waste.