By Laura Horihan
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 

HOUSTON -- When the Houston public schools changed its lunch program at the beginning of the school year, students were a little reluctant to put fruits and vegetables on their trays.

"They've realized that to get a full meal, they need to start eating their vegetables," high school Principal Todd Lundberg said as he watched students make their way through the serving line last week.

In previous years, the school district ran its own school lunch program, but elementary school Principal Rick Bartz said the school board wanted to increase the healthy food choices available to students while controlling costs, so they hired Taher Inc., a Minnesota-based food-service management company.

The company also provides food service for students in Chatfield, Plainview, Fillmore Central and Mabel-Canton schools.

While it has taken them some time to get used to the changes, Abigail Loken, 14, and Brandy Scanlan, 12, said they enjoy the greater variety of fruits and vegetables this year.

"It's gotten a lot healthier," Loken said.

Lundberg estimated that less than 5 percent of the student body brings a lunch from home.

Fresh and seasonal food

Menus prepared by Taher chefs emphasize freshly prepared foods, more whole grains, no trans fats, legumes, minimally processed food and a decreased use of foods containing high fructose corn syrup.

Each month the menu will focus on vegetables or fruits that are in season.

In September, the menu included tomatoes, melons and corn.

In October, the menu has focused on apples, and in November there will be an emphasis on whole grains.

A few weeks back, many students were surprised to see kiwi and fresh raspberries in the lunch line.

Even though students are getting foods they aren't use to, Taher chef Heidi Osterhaus said the garbage bins aren't filling up as fast.

Osterhaus has a degree from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Mendota Heights, Minn. She's been trying to make most of the meals from scratch.

On the menu

Of course, there are some favorites that kids can't go without. Last Wednesday, students could choose from chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, corn, fresh carrots, lettuce salad, apples, oranges and leftover apple crisp.

Two favorites are homemade pizza and homemade chicken noodle soup, Osterhaus said.

So far, the amount of local foods has been limited because most produce is grown in the summer when school is out. Osterhaus hopes to work with local apple growers next season.

School officials believe that good nutrition will have a positive effect on learning.

"By making changes now, hopefully these students will adopt healthier lifestyles," Bartz said.

There are 0 comments - Display All Comments