Sodexo At School Receives 8 Awards from Action for Healthy Kids for Excellence in Nutrition & Innovation
BETHESDA, Md. (July 15, 2024) – Sodexo, a leader in foodservice and innovative dining solutions for schools across the U.S., proudly announces eight Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards from Action for Healthy Kids for several schools and school districts. The awards recognize significant achievements in enhancing the nutritional quality of school meals. The Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards celebrate School Food Authorities (SFAs) that have made innovative operational changes to improve school meal programs and actively engage students and families in nutrition education.
The honorees are:
- Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District has been honored with the Innovation in the Cultural Diversity of School Meals Award, Lunch Trailblazer Award, and the Small or Rural School Food Authority Lunch Trailblazer Award.
- Laguna Beach Unified School District has received the Small or Rural Food Authority Breakfast Trailblazer Award and the Small or Rural School Food Authority Lunch Trailblazer Award.
- Palo Alto Unified School District has been recognized with the Innovative School Lunch Makeover Award and Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals Award.
“These school districts serve as inspirational models, demonstrating that with dedication and creativity, school meal programs can make substantial improvements in nutritional quality,” said Sodexo At School CEO David Newman. “Their efforts not only promote healthier eating habits among students but also foster a greater sense of community involvement in school nutrition programs.”
Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District has introduced a variety of culturally diverse menu items such as Chicken Tinga, Chicken Pesto, Enchiladas, Orange Chicken, and Butter Chicken, all of which have received positive feedback from students. By preparing these meals from scratch using fresh ingredients, the district has successfully reduced sodium and added sugars in their menus. Additionally, the district utilized social media to promote these new menu items to students, parents, and the community.
Laguna Beach Unified School District has made significant efforts to reduce added sugars in breakfast by switching to reduced sugar cereals, offering only unflavored milk, and eliminating fruit juice from the menu. They have implemented reduced sodium recipes, using lower-sodium condiments, and fewer canned items. Students also benefit from a daily variety of fresh produce through the Salad of the Week and a Salad Bar programs.
Palo Alto Unified School District has been recognized for their transition to scratch cooking and for organizing Annual Tasting Days, where students, parents, and staff can sample new menu items and vote for their favorites, including Chicken Pho and Tofu Pho.
About Sodexo North America
Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 45 countries. Sodexo specializes in sustainable food service and valued experiences, in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam, at every moment in life: learn, work, heal and play. Additionally, the company indirectly supports additional jobs through its annual purchases of goods and services from small to large businesses. Sodexo North America is committed to meeting the challenges of everyday life with a dual goal: to improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve, and contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all.