Special to The American
Aramark, the food service provider for Jennings School District, has introduced its “Healthy for Life” program that focuses on more nutritious food options and teaches students to make wholesome meal and lifestyle choices. Aramark’s program is in step with the White House initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama called “Let’s Move,” designed to deal with the obesity problem facing today’s youth.
The new concept requires upgraded training for food preparers, who must learn new techniques and methods in cooking. More baked and less fried items will be offered at lunch time using leaner beef, chicken and fish products, lower salt contents, more whole grains and reduced-fat cheeses. Some of the new menu items include baked mozzarella sticks, beef & broccoli, BBQ chicken breast, chicken noodle soup, spaghetti & meat sauce, beef fajitas, a “salad of the week,” as well as fresh and exotic fruits.
“They’re not happy about it,” said Aric Hamilton, Aramark’s director of Food Service for the Jennings School District, referring to the students’ response to the menu changes. “Kids today are conditioned to fried foods. You fry up chicken wings and the kids love ‘em, but baked chicken wings they’ll frown upon.” Still, he said, “All that saturated fat – it’s just not good for you.”