“Someone once told me that you can make a lunch as healthy as you want it, but at the end of the day, if it doesn’t taste good, kids won’t eat it and you’ll end up with healthy trash cans.”
That’s how manager of Cuisine Solutions K-12 program Bill Stablein explains the motivation for the Sterling-based company’s growing concept, Café+Teria, found solely in local school cafeterias.
The program began two years ago when the company decided to move away from catering to professional chefs and home cooks, and test out some of its sous-vide style recipes in three Arlington County public schools, ultimately gaining attention from board directors, nutritionists and dietitians alike.
That’s why when the academic year began in September, the customized lunch program debuted in four Virginia school districts, as well as one in Pickens County, South Carolina, expanding from eight school partnerships in 2018 to 16.
“One of the biggest things people kept telling us was that participation in cafeteria programs tends to dip at the high school level, so that was really who we wanted to attract,” says Stablein of the program. “We’ve seen kids flock to fast-casual concepts after school, so we put two and two together and realized it’s an easy way to get them a credible, tasty meal following USDA guidelines.”
At each Café+Teria site, students are able to choose their own base of grains, salad or a wrap, followed by a protein of antibiotic-free chicken, ground beef or paneer cheese. From there, a rotating menu of Asian, Mediterranean, Mexican and Caribbean-themed ingredients are available for students to pick from.
The food also provides students with nutritious value not always offered at a typical public school cafeteria. And according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students with healthy eating habits are better learners, with research reflecting that nutrition has an effect on academic achievement.
“We really wanted to incorporate vegetables as a component of the meal,” says Stablein. “A lot of the time, kids are offered vegetables as a side, like roasted broccoli or asparagus, but they often won’t eat it, because it’s on the side of a better option.”
The Café+Teria concept is now part of cafeterias in Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun and Frederick counties, with plans to expand nationwide in the future.
According to Stablein, the program thrives due to the enthusiasm from students, with favorite meals varying from district to district. But what is the most popular item in all counties?
“Hands down, it’s the taco,” says Stablein. “They can get a tortilla, salad or brown rice base and choose the toppings they want, and then the entire thing has taco seasoning. It’s really the most popular across the board.”
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