Demeatria LaForte is getting a new kitchen, but it won’t be in her home.
LaForte decided to swap a restaurant kitchen for a school cafeteria in the Dallas Independent School District. But first, she’s getting a sneak peak of the new recipes that will be part of the school meals menu for the 2017-2018 school year.
“I am super excited about the new recipes in the school meals menu,” said LaForte. “The new recipes will offer more variety to students, which will encourage them to participate in the school meals program.”
Chicken & Waffles, Apple Cinnamon Texas Toast, Chipotle Fish Tacos, Curry Roasted Cauliflower, Sassy Italian Corn, and a Southwest Black Bean Bake are some of the new meal options that Dallas ISD students will have when they return to school.
Several of the items on the menu LaForte and her staff will soon prepare, are chef-inspired recipes, created by Dallas ISD’s Food and Child Nutrition Services chefs and staff, while some were created by Dallas ISD culinary students during theCooking Up Change competition this spring.
“Engaging students in the selection of the menu items gives us with the opportunity to hear their voices,” said Michael Rosenberger, Executive Director of Food and Child Nutrition Services. “Our mission is to provide nutrition that fuels successful learning, and the best way to do that is to create a menu that students are really excited about.”
This experience will give LaForte the opportunity to learn how one meal impacts a child’s success in the classroom. In Dallas ISD, all students are able to receive breakfast and lunch at no-cost daily. In schools with after-school enrichment activities, an after-school meal is provided to all students at no-cost as well. Snacks and other items not included in the daily menu options may be purchased.
For now, LaForte is eager to set foot in her new industrial-sized kitchen complete with all of the ingredients to create a recipe for student success.
Parents can visit http://dallasisd.nutrislice.com/ or downloading it as a mobile application to access their child’s school menu, which includes nutritional and allergen information, as well as provide feedback on the meals.
