WICHITA, Kansas -- Some teenage food critics helped USD 259 plan what could be future school lunches.
The district's goal is to fulfill healthy meal requirements while making meals students will eat.
"If I see it, I eat it. That's mainly it," says student Jordan Kelly.
He's a member of the Superintendent Student Advisory Council, which sampled different food items today that may be on the menu in the future.
"I liked the BBQ pork, that was my favorite one, General Tso's is a close second then the chile, then the curry," says Kelly.
"I came in and there was food everywhere and we had pizza and sandwiches and wraps and salads. There's so much stuff," says fellow student Brent Ehresman, who is another taste tester who appreciates the requirement for healthier options.
"I know I'm definitely into being healthy, so I'm all about a turkey wrap with lettuce and stuff. I think," says Ehresman.
"It tells us what they will accept. We know the new regulations require healthy food for kids, but it doesn't do any good unless the kids eat it. So, we work to get feedback and plan meals that students will eat," explains Vicki Hoffman, who is the district's Director of Nutrition Services.
After filling their stomachs, the students toured the district's Food Production Center.
"I knew there was some regulations, but I didn't know how specific they were," says Kelly.
They learned what it takes to serve 32,000 lunches and 11,000 breakfasts every school day.
"I was eating with my buddy, and it was chicken nuggets and there was a piece of bread. I was like, 'Why is there this lame piece of bread?' It just seems pointless and now I realize it's one of the two required grains," says Ehresman.
Hoffman says, "Anytime we can spread the word why we do what we do and how they can help us make it better, that's a good thing."
One of the items that may be back on the menu is delivery pizza.
Several pizza companies changed their recipes, and now meet the new U.S.D.A. requirements.
