Whole Grains Top K-12 School Menus

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Students eating breakfast or lunch at school will now be able to enjoy their favorite meals and snacks while consuming nutrient dense whole grains. This year, ARAMARK, a food and nutrition partner with over 500 school districts throughout North America, has added a variety of new whole grain meal and snack offerings to the school menus. To engage the entire school community in health and wellness, ARAMARK will also be hosting sampling events for students, parents and staff in K-12 districts across the country.  

"ARAMARK is committed to ensuring that our students receive wholesome meals and snacks," said Linda Sceurman, R.D.N.and Director of Nutrition and Menu Development for ARAMARK Education.  "By working with our team of chefs and dietitians as well as manufacturers, we have created healthier menu items that not only taste great but provide students with the nutrients they need to support their busy lifestyles, both in and out of the classroom."

Examples of the new whole grain menu offerings include:

• Chicken Nuggets made with whole grain breading
• Macaroni Salad with vegetables and whole grain pasta
• Chicken Caesar Wraps and Ranch Chicken Wraps featuring whole grain wraps
• Fish Sandwich featuring baked fish with whole grain breading, served on a whole grain bun
• Black Bean Veggie Burger made from scratch vegetarian burger served on a  whole grain bun
• Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Bagels and Toast made with whole grains.

Many popular name brand snacks -- including pretzels, granola and cereal bars, cookies and graham crackers -- have been reformulated to feature more whole grains, less fat, salt and sugar and more fiber.  Along with tasting great, these new items have been developed to be nutritionally superior to alternatives that are purchased at stores and packed from home.

In addition to whole grains, menus also feature more fresh fruits and vegetables, low and non-fat dairy options, lean proteins, and 100 percent fruit juice and water. 

ARAMARK is committed to improving childhood nutrition and creating healthier school environments through nutritious meal offerings and wellness education.  To learn more, please visit www.myhealthyforlife.com.

About ARAMARK Education
ARAMARK Education provides a complete range of food, facility, uniform and other support services to more than 500 K-12 school districts in the U.S.  It offers public and private education institutions a family of dining and facility services including:  on-site and off-site breakfast and lunch meal programs, after-school snacks, catering, nutrition education, retail design and operations, maintenance, custodial, grounds, energy management, construction management, and building commissioning.  For more information on ARAMARK's K-12 food service programs, please visit www.aramarkschools.com.

About ARAMARK
ARAMARK delivers experiences that enrich and nourish people's lives through innovative food, facility, and uniform services. United by a passion to serve, our more than 250,000 employees make a meaningful difference each day for millions of people around the world. ARAMARK is recognized among the Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE and World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute.  Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE ARAMARK