New menu designed to fight obesity and attract students at 480 school districts

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- When students at more than 4,000 Sodexo-served K-12 schools nationwide line up for lunch on the first day back, they'll notice interesting changes, including kid-tested and healthy flavors from the Mediterranean to Vietnam and healthier versions of regional favorites – all part of Sodexo's industry-leading commitment to increase whole grains and reduce fat, salt and sugar in its school nutrition programs.

"Sodexo sees school nutrition and focusing on student well-being as a big part of the solution when it comes to fighting childhood obesity," said Steve Dunmore, president of Sodexo Education - Schools. "Sodexo offers students unique cafeteria choices like favorite local dishes, or meals from across the globe and tasty entree salads while also providing balanced nutrition and correct portions."

Here are some of the innovative school menu items students at Sodexo-served schools will find this year.

• Chicken Pho with Garnishes
• Cuban Baked Sweet Potato Fries
• Fantastic Stuffed Mushrooms
• Grilled Chicken Greek Salad
• Maple Granola Crusted Sweet Potatoes
• Mediterranean Lentil Soup
• Moroccan Apricot Chicken
• Oat & Spice Whole Grain Breakfast Squares
• Spinach and Mushroom Calzone
• Tropical Vegetable Tofu

Sodexo's team of culinary experts, including chefs at school districts nationwide, developed recipes that entice students and meet USDA's National School Lunch Program guidelines.  The company's focus on global cuisine allows students to expand their palates by experiencing new flavors, while its regional favorites are familiar and comforting.

Sodexo developed new menu items with the support of its vendors throughout the spring and summer, including a first-ever research and development summit in California that brought together chefs from more than 20 national food manufacturers to work with Sodexo chefs in developing a diverse set of healthy, delicious and nutritious meals specifically for school students. Sodexo also challenged suppliers to make the foods kids like to eat healthier, a move that improves school nutrition for students nationwide, not just at Sodexo-served schools.

"Sodexo has an extensive network of chefs, including more than 525 in Education, working hard to ensure that students have interesting and healthy meals each day at school," said Chef Lisa Feldman, director of culinary services for Sodexo Education - Schools. "School meals have come a long way since I was a student, and I encourage parents to check out the amazing selection of nutritious and delicious meals we offer at Sodexo-run cafeterias daily."

Sodexo is committed to take measurable sustainable actions that ensure a brighter future in the areas of health and wellness, environmental stewardship and community development. Sodexo focuses on nutrition, achievement, environment, community and activity to promote student well-being and create enriched learning environments.

About Sodexo

Sodexo in North America

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On Site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $15 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions

Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo acts as the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and employee well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled array of On Site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the fulfillment of its employees and the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates.

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.

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