Sodexo Program Exposes Students to Culinary World Tour Without Leaving Arizona's Catalina Foothills School District

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- High school students at Tucson, Arizona's Catalina Foothills School District get to experience the culture and flavors of the world without ever leaving the cafeteria thanks to student nutrition provider Sodexo and its event series that combines nutrition with education to introduce students to the food, music and customs from the corners of the globe.

Sodexo introduced the Theme Day events this school year to enhance culinary education during lunch time. In addition to serving authentic world cuisine, Sodexo creates a festive ambiance with national flags, traditional music and decorations, and shares interesting historical facts and information, such as key political leader biographies and the flag's history and significance.

Sodexo, with the support of Catalina Foothills High School Principal Loren Rathert, launched the program in late September with a South Africa-themed event. Sodexo's team of culinary experts created a meal that showcased authentic South African cuisine including a fish and rice dish known as cape kedgeree, a lamb and green bean stew called green bean bredie, a marinated and grilled lamb and pork dish with apricots known as sosaties and for dessert, klapperter, a South African coconut pie.

The second Theme Day event, which was held on Oct. 12 in celebration of National School Lunch Week, highlighted Italian food and culture and featured dishes such as Italian sausage lasagna, prosciutto and goat cheese bruschetta, shrimp and pesto pasta, chicken cacciatore and cannoli.

"I've spent a lot of time traveling the world and I wanted to share my deep appreciation for other cultures with the Catalina Foothills students," said Claude Chatelain, general manager for Sodexo. "I am really proud that we were able to use Sodexo's global and culinary expertise to create a program that allows students to learn by seeing, hearing and tasting different cultures."

The first two Theme Day events were so well-received by students that Sodexo is expanding the series throughout the rest of the fall and into 2011. Upcoming Theme Day events will showcase India, Mexico and Japan. In addition, Sodexo is also planning its first Theme Day for elementary students. On Nov. 16, students at Ventana Vista Elementary School will experience the food and culture of Italy.

Sodexo is observing National School Lunch Week, Oct. 11 to 15 by highlighting innovative programs in the 480 school districts it serves. 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.

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 $13 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 is the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and 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 range of On-site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates and to the fulfillment of its employees.

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.