Some of the requirements
being phased in include boosting the offering of whole grain-rich foods,
decreasing sodium, providing zero trans fat products, and ensuring that
students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day.
The Nutritional Services
Department in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools has already instituted
many of these changes. But they will be looking for new menu items that meet
these criteria this week during their Taste of 500 event.
Held annually, Taste of 500
is a food tasting fair that allows students to sample food items from a number
of food service brokers and then provide feedback on the taste and quality. The
event will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 13 at J.C. Harmon High
School.
“Many of the products that
will be available to sample at the fair are ones that have been developed
specifically to meet the USDA’s new nutrition standards,” said Karla Floyd, nutritional services
director.
Student representatives from
grades 2-11 have been invited to participate. For the first time this year,
parents of students also have been invited to taste food products that could be
featured in their students’ meals. The food items presented will be evaluated
using a simple scoring technique. Positive responses will be considered for
upcoming school menus.
KCKPS has been ahead of the
process of instituting the new nutrition requirements for several years. All
schools already offer skim or low-fat milk, along with a variety of fruits and
vegetables of many colors, plus additional whole grains.
