Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), the tenth largest school district in the country, unveiled new school recipes that are “chef-inspired, kid-approved” in partnership with America’s top chefs representing the leading culinary associations in the United States at the Chefs Move to Schools event in Orlando, Florida. For the past four months, chefs teamed up with nutrition service managers to enhance school offerings with a chef’s touch, mindful of reducing calories and fat.
A few of the new recipes were: Fish Tacos with tilapia, shredded carrots, red and green cabbage, bok choy and avocado in a whole grain tortilla; Taboule Chicken Salad with tomato, cucumber, couscous, feta cheese, lemon juice and olive oil in a whole grain pita pocket; and Fruit Roll Up with cantaloupe, melon, strawberries, pineapple and melon rolled in rice paper.
White House Assistant Chef and Food Initiative Coordinator Chef Sam Kass with Dr. Janey Thornton, deputy under secretary, food, nutrition & consumer services of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), attended the event to see and taste the new collaborative recipes.
Chefs Move to Schools is designed to teach children about healthy food options, encourage children’s families and caregivers to make educated meal choices, ensure kids are getting enough physical activity, and advocate for healthier school environments.
“I saw the vision of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to reduce childhood obesity at work today through the Chefs Move to Schools program in Orange County Public Schools. The creative partnership of the chefs, the food managers and the inclusion of the students is a model that should be duplicated nationwide,” said Chef Sam Kass, White House assistant chef and food initiative coordinator.
“This was a phenomenal event! To see the passion and dedication of all involved to positively impact child nutrition was inspiring. I look forward to expanding this program across the country,” said Dr. Janey Thornton, deputy under secretary, food, nutrition & consumer services of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“This is what school nutrition should be about, looking to partner with external organizations and incorporating new knowledge and creativity to give our students delicious tasting and healthy food they want to eat, said Lora Gilbert, senior director of Food and Nutrition Services Orange County Public School (OCPS).
Partnership organizations for this initiative include: School Nutrition Association (SNA), Florida School Nutrition Association (FSNA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), International Corporate Chefs Association, American Culinary Federation, Women Chefs & Restaurateurs, Research Chefs Association and Healthy Kids Challenge®.
