As the new year kicks off, school foodservice directors have a prime opportunity to inspire students to make healthier choices. Salad bars offer a simple yet impactful way to encourage balanced eating while engaging students in the importance of nutrition. We have 7 ways foodservice directors can leverage salad bars to foster healthy habits in schools.
1. Connect to the Classroom
Turn the salad bar into an educational tool by connecting it to what students are learning in (or sometimes out) of the classroom. Olmsted Falls High School in Olmstead Falls, Ohio, offers an urban agriculture class that will contribute to their salad bar.
“We won the Grow Ohio Grant where we were able to use it for hydroponic lettuce systems; that class is actually growing the lettuce for us,” said Sam Chin, Food Service Director with Olmsted Falls City Schools.
Once the class continues to grow more produce, the food bar will be filled with fresh items for all students to enjoy.
2. Variety is Key
A vibrant salad bar with a wide selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, proteins and whole grains attracts attention and promotes balanced nutrition. Including colorful options like watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, apples, oranges, kiwi, lettuce, celery and carrots not only boosts visual appeal but also ensures students get a range of vitamins and minerals.
Painesville City Local Schools’ elementary schools have used the Cambro Versa Food Bar® for over 12 years for their National School Lunch Program, which boasts 75% participation. The students refer to their salad bar as “The Fruit and Veggie Wagon” where they happily load up on fruits and veggies of their choice.
“If for some reason it’s not out there…it’s just an expectation that they have now,” said Kelly Minnick, Director of Nutrition Services at Painesville City Local Schools. “They do miss it and I think they just get excited.”
3. Student Involvement
Get students excited about using the salad bar by involving them in menu planning. Conduct surveys to understand their preferences and feature a “Student Choice Salad of the Week.” This empowers them to take ownership of their food choices, making healthy eating more appealing.
At Olmsted Falls High School, there is a “Chipotle bar,” where students can add toppings like salsa, sour cream, fresh diced tomatoes and lettuce to their burrito bowls as if they were at the popular fast-casual restaurant.
4. Teach Life Skills
With previous districts, Minnick received pushback when suggesting using a salad bar because critics didn’t believe kindergarteners could reach it or would be able to properly and safely serve themselves.
“One of the things that we as a school district also try to teach are life skills, like serving themselves. Kids will choose more of what they actually like to eat, and then they’ll actually eat it rather than getting it served on a tray,” said Minnick.
The Versa Food Bar with low height allows elementary school students to easily reach items on the salad bar while maintaining food safety standards using tongs.
“Some of the things that they don’t even need to use tongs for, they still use the tongs,” said Minnick.
5. Highlight Sustainability
Educate students about food waste and sustainability by teaching them how to take only what they need. Implement initiatives like share tables to connect healthy habits with environmental responsibility.
“I’ve never cared about how many fruit or veggies that they take, as long as they’re going to eat them,” said Minnick.
Click here for 5 Proven Ways To Reduce School Food Waste, taken from the success of the San Diego Unified School District.
6. Provide an Elevated Experience
“[The Versa Food Bar] just kind of completes the whole experience; it just makes it look nicer,” said Chin. “Efficiency-wise it works perfectly, it looks better and I think it shows the kids that we’re trying to make this a better experience for them.”
7. Celebrate National Days
Capitalize on buzzworthy days like Taco Tuesday or events like National School Lunch Week in October to promote salad bars. Special events can provide a fun theme, draw attention and renew excitement among students, faculty and parents.
Why Salad Bars Matter
Salad bars not only provide students with nutritious choices but also teach lifelong healthy eating habits. By making fresh and diverse ingredients available, school foodservice directors can play a pivotal role in shaping students’ relationships with food in a positive way.
Start the new year by transforming your cafeteria into a hub for health and nutrition. The benefits of implementing or enhancing a salad bar program extend far beyond the cafeteria—setting the foundation for a healthier future for students.
AUTHOR: ADRIANA COCHRAN IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
