Cafeteria Education

Wellness day teaches students nutrition.

Wellness Day at Clayton N.J. School District

The emphasis at the junior/senior high school was teaching the students the importance of eating a well-balanced meal. On the designated day, March 26, students came through the serving line as usual to receive the day’s entrée. The students were also given a packet containing four raffle tickets, which could be turned in at the Healthy Sides of the Day Buffet that was set up outside the main serving line. The buffet comprised four tables, each of which represented a different food group: fruits, vegetables, milk and grains. To pick up any of these sides, students turned in one of their raffle tickets. The tickets were then entered into a drawing and the winning students received prizes. Arnold said the raffle encouraged students to select more of the healthy sides.

At the elementary school, the wellness day combined the Invite a Parent to Lunch Day program with healthy snacks. Tables were set up offering samples of the healthy snack of the day, along with activity and coloring sheets.
At both of the district’s schools, educational literature was available.

“We did a lot of extra meals on the wellness day,” Arnold said. “Everyone had a good time, and I think this is something that we could expand to our other districts.” Nutri-Serve manages foodservice in 76 accounts in southern New Jersey. This is the company’s third year in the Clayton district. Arnold said the company has increased the amount of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads available in the schools. In addition, a biometrics system was installed, which she said has greatly increased the speed of service because students no longer have to punch in, and remember, PIN numbers in order to purchase their meals.