Flavor Diversity On School Menus

School Food Authorities (SFA’s) have done an excellent job of providing flavor diversity on school menus. It is no secret, that today’s K-12 diners bring their restaurant dining and grocery aisle exposure with them to school. As such, many young students are now familiar with tastes of Sriracha, Chorizo, Lemongrass, Hummus and Jamaican Beef. Going a step further, menu excitement in some school districts even extends to Calabicitas (squash and corn side), Guisado, Szechuan spices, General Tso sauce, Tagines, Kung Pao and Elote en Vaso.

Platforms that deliver new ethnic morsels typically include hand-helds such as Strombolis, Calzones, Quesadillas, Chalupas, Turnovers, Frittatas, Bento Boxes and many more. Shown in the table is a sampling of tasty entrees and sides appearing on K-12 menus of the Top 100 school districts.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Foodservice Research Institute