Brown Adds District’s First Vegetable Bar to Lunch Offerings

Brown International Selected for Pilot Program

Brown International Academy, a Denver Public School (DPS) located in northwest Denver, was selected by DPS Food Service Enterprise Management for placement of the district’s only lunchroom vegetable bar. DPS selected Brown for the pilot program because of strong interest expressed by the school’s parents and students. The vegetable bar has been named “Lettuce Lounge” by 5^th grade students. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Wed. May 6, 2009 during the lunch hour.

DPS Food Service Enterprise Management introduced the vegetable bar to Brown students in March. It is offered as a way to incorporate more fresh vegetables into the daily diets of children, according to Sandy Grady, area supervisor with the division’s Food and Nutrition Services.

“Our vision is ‘Feeding Every Child Every Day.’ By increasing students’ consumption of fresh vegetables and increasing meal participation through the vegetable bar, we are helping to put more nutrient-rich food into kids’ bodies,” Grady said.

But the health aspect is only one benefit. “When kids are given options in a school lunch, and can actively select their own food, they are more likely to eat lunch,” said Gina O’Brian, a Brown parent and chair of the school’s Wellness Committee. “We want kids to have a stake in choosing what goes into their bodies, and having a vegetable bar encourages healthy choices,” O’Brian added.

The Lettuce Lounge features mixed salad composed of romaine and iceberg lettuce, spinach and purple cabbage, in addition to raw vegetables, peas and black beans, served with low fat ranch and Italian dressing. Students who choose to participate in the school lunch program have access to the vegetable bar at no additional cost, and may go back for second servings. Teachers and paraprofessionals eat for free on Fridays, provided they eat lunch with the students. Parents are also encouraged to join their children for Friday Lunch Bunch at a cost of $2.50.

Success of the pilot program will be determined in part by how much food from the vegetable bar is consumed. Teachers and parents will also be surveyed about their observations regarding changes in energy levels, alertness and improved eating habits at home. Success will also be determined by the amount of vigilance to food safety.

“We take food safety very seriously. We are taking careful steps to ensure that food on the vegetable bar is handled with care and cleanliness. If not, the safety and health of students will be at risk,” said Grady.

To spread awareness about food safety issues, guidelines have been shared with children regarding the use of tongs and serving spoons, and the importance of the sneeze guard. Signs and posters encouraging good “vegetable bar etiquette” have been hung throughout the lunchroom.