Schools to highlight lunches next week

BDTV

staff report
October 6, 2020

Amanda Deckard just finished her first year as staff dietiian in Wayne Township.

Part of her job the last several months has been prepping for National School Lunch week, which will be celebrated next week.

“This week is important to us to highlight that we provide healthy and delicious school meals,” Deckard said. “We want to remind our students the importance of eating well rounded meals to give you energy throughout the day and succeed in school.”

President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom.

The 2020 NSLW theme Now Playing:School Lunch! will put a spotlight on hit menu items that kids love while capitalizing on the popularity of movies to appeal to students in all grade levels.

“We’re hoping to increase student participation, spread the message that school lunches are healthy and delicious, and connect with students and staff,” Deckard said. “We will be hanging up decorations, featuring a special entree during the week (buffalo chicken totchos w/ pico de gallo), and playing movie soundtracks during lunch (pending approval from the principal). ”

At Ben Davis, they will be serving buffalo chicken totchos (tator tot nachos) on Tuesday and Thursday. They are trying a new entree to see if this is something the kids may want to have on the menu in the future. They are also hiding 5 wonka golden tickets on Tuesday and 5 on Thursday. If someone gets the golden ticket, then they will get a free book giveaway from the library.

“I had a lot of great school lunch experiences as a child,” said Deckard, who grew up in Plainfield. “I was a picky eater growing up but remember always having an option of something I liked to eat. I also remember the cafeteria staff being inviting and brightening my day.”