Meal choices to be offered to students this year
by Amber Schmitz, Sumner Newscow — With choices for breakfast and lunch, parents may not have to send as many sack lunches to school this year. OPAA Food Management has partnered with USD 353, and three meal choices will be available to students during both breakfast and lunch.
“In my last district, hot lunch participation increased significantly as students saw the choices that were available,” Wellington Superintendent Mark Whitener said.
This May, the district selected Opaa! as their new food service provider. Last winter, the district submitted a Request for Proposal, then the notice was published in a regional newspaper, and the bidding companies made a presentation to the district committee. The committee evaluated each proposal based on Nutritional and Wellness Department of Education (KSDE) guidelines. The proposal that won was required to adhere to all state and federal child nutrition guidelines.
“The staff visited other schools that contract out their food service and sampled the food from the companies that submitted bids,” Whitener said.
With a mission statement of “Make Their Day,” Opaa! partners with school districts to create a child nutrition program to meet the needs of the students, while staying within state and federal guidelines. The company incorporates locally grown, farm fresh fruits and vegetables, with from scratch cooking, including oven-fresh rolls.
For example, the first day of school three breakfast choices include: pancake sausage griddle, apple, fruit juice; cereal, cinnamon toast, apple, fruit juice; or oatmeal, cinnamon toast, apple, fruit juice. The three lunch choices on the first day are: chicken nachos w/white queso; Mexican pizza, fresh garden salad, Texas pintos, mandarin oranges, fresh fruit; or taco salad, Texas pintos, mandarin oranges, fresh fruit and cornbread.
“Parents should expect meals that are not only nutritious but are tasty and appealing as well,” said Whitener.
Each day, students will have two or more choices. For example, students can choose between the main entree, lasagna, or a cheeseburger, depending on the daily menu. High school students will have two hot choices each day or the salad bar.
“I personally like the fact that students have choices,” Whitener said. “If the student doesn’t like the main entree, they may choose a burger, pizza, or a chicken sandwich, depending on the menu each day. I also really like the offering of fresh fruits and vegetables each day.”
