More whole grains and low fat options on the menu
MARQUETTE -- Lunchtime...it's probably the students' favorite period of the school day.
The traditional hot school lunch has been a staple for years, but the menu is changing. Days of greasy pizza and fried food are over. Now it's all about whole grains and low fat options. And after parents raised concern about lunches that weren't nutritious, the Marquette School District stepped up and made some changes.
"We have just increased our staffing at the elementary schools, and here at the high school for prep and service of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables everyday rather than the two or three times a week they were being offered," says Food Services Manager Peggy Mullen.
The school has also expanded its salad bars and increased the menu choices available. And when school officials are purchasing the food, they're looking for the healthier options. So far the students have mixed feelings on how effective the changes are.
"I think that there are some healthier choices that they can choose from," says freshman Hermoody Nofal.
Mariah Grange disagrees. "No...well the salads are. But not what they serve us in there."
But the district isn't done making changes.
"I'm looking to expand the elementary and possibly the alternative program. You have to pilot something like that because there's a lot of logistics involved as far as expanding choices and storage, transportation, service...all of it," Mullen says.
The school also plans to get more specific suggestions from both parents and students on how they can improve the lunch program.