For generations, students have picked up a Cambro tray before they move through the cafeteria line. In recent years, school foodservice professionals have worked to revamp school meals to be more nutritious, flavorful and enticing. While traditional Cambro trays can still support your needs, there are many creative ways to use them to support new meal ideas and initiatives.
Pam Haupt, foodservice coordinator at Columbia Heights Public Schools in Columbia Heights, Minn., supports a district of 3,200 students. CHPS uses three types of Cambro trays in different types of ways to support their efforts to provide students with choices, be more sustainable and support school spirit.
Bento Boxes
Bento boxes were traditionally used by Japanese schoolchildren, but the concept eventually made its way stateside and become very popular with adults and kids alike. Commonly found at grocery stores and Starbucks, these boxes are compartmentalized with different proteins, carbs, vegetables or fruit. Typically, boxes are packaged in disposable plastic containers, but Haupt wanted to find a way to make their offering more sustainable.
“Our district, along with many districts nationwide, obviously is wrestling with the idea of sustainability and trying to eliminate as much packaging as possible, whether it be in disposable containers or food itself and our food choices, whether it be for grab and go breakfast or lunch or snack or anything else,” said Haupt.
“I began talking to Laurance, who’s our rep, about what ideas Cambro had for a reusable bento box option versus any other disposable type container, which were very expensive and obviously increasing our garbage.”
Haupt and her rep decided on our 3 compartment insert trays, which are compatible with both hot and cold foods and are break, chip and crack resistant for long lasting service. They’re used to offer students items like cheese and crackers or hummus and pita.
Customized Trays
CHPS wanted to market their foodservice program with the school colors of their middle school, Columbia Academy, so they designed a personalized tray.
“We did a large remodel over there and again, [the personalized trays are] part of our branding of our district and our foodservice. Students who choose to have some of the cold alternative meals can easily set their bento box, grab some additional fruit, grab their milk and check out and not be fumbling around with a bunch of different meal components,” said Haupt.
Catering
In addition to providing food for their schools, CHPS supports a family center that is a licensed child care facility. Previously, they served family style meals and it was too time consuming for the staff. They needed something that was easy to handle and transport and noticed the 3 compartment insert trays could work great for that application too.
“[The trays] really resolved getting them the right portion size for the meal pattern and also just various spills and tipping over of food that was being caused,” said Haupt.
Traditional Cafeteria Meals
Although times are changing, the cafeteria remains a steadfast way to way to provide meals to elementary school students. While COVID forced many schools to change the way they provided food, many are finally able to return to normalcy.
“It had been a long time since we had purchased the six compartment trays. During COVID, we were using a lot of disposable, either foam or compostable, so to completely move away from that and move back to real trays, real silverware, and we’re excited this year,” said Haupt.
“I do think that the presentation of the items, and our new cold choices at Columbia Academy, certainly has helped to increase the participation because they look great. They do look great in the bento boxes. You can see the items perfectly clearly. We can put the appropriate garnishes in there with them and keep them separate from the main entree. It has been a great win to be able to not only offer more choices but have them being selected,” said Haupt.
Cambro trays have stood the test of time thanks to their durability, efficiency and ability to be customized. Contact your local Cambro sales rep to get started today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ADRIANA DESIDERIO IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
