The 2015-16 school year is the second year for The Nutrition Group here at East Guernsey Local Schools. As always, one of the food service goals is to expand on the food choices students make every day. After all, we’ve all heard that variety is the spice of life. The Nutrition Group has come up with two programs with this goal in mind: Wellness Wednesday and Recipe of the Month.

Wellness Wednesday is a program where elementary students are encouraged to try new and healthy recipes. These recipes were developed by The Nutrition Group’s corporate chefs and dietitians and comply with the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA). Wellness Wednesday takes place every other month in the elementary cafeteria during lunch time. During Wellness Wednesday, students cans ample the featured recipe, pick up a handout which includes the recipe and its nutritional information, and grab a sticker that says, “I tried something new today!” This school year, our Wellness Wednesday recipes include: Peach Salsa, Confetti Bean Salad, Crispy Beet Salad, Stewed Tomatoes, and Vegetable Quinoa. Wellness Wednesday is a great way for students to discover new, nutrient-rich foods!

New this year is a program called Recipe of the Month. This program’s aim is to spice up the monthly menu, giving students a new entrée option each month. The recipes are geared toward an older audience, therefore the Recipe of the Month primarily shows up on the high school menu. Recipes such as White Bean Chicken Chili, Burrito Bowl, Ham and Potato Au Gratin, and Jamaican Pork over Riceare just a few in the Recipe of the Month pool. Hopefully with the programs implemented, students will be excited to try new foods not only at school, but at home too!