Written by Brianna Bobo
Students at Bradie Shrum Elementary are getting a taste of the world, literally. The cafeteria kicked off a new program called “ Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport,” inspired by this year’s National School Lunch Week (NSLW) theme from the National School Nutrition Association.
The idea started as a “passport” promotion to highlight meals from around the world. The school planned to begin earlier in the year but decided to wait until October to match the official NSLW celebration. Now, each month students will have the chance to “travel” to a new country through special lunch menus and themed decorations.
Food Service Director Karen Libka, who helped organize the project, said the goal is to make lunch fun while teaching students about other cultures.
“We want to expose students to foods they may not have tried before,” she said. “At the same time, we want them to learn about other countries and how their food may be different from what we’re used to.”
Students get a passport and can earn stamps each time they try a dish from a new country. Libka said students have really enjoyed the idea and participation has gone up.
“They were very excited,” she said. “Most students were eager to try the new meal.”
The program started with a meal from India, and even teachers and staff joined in. The cafeteria was decorated with Indian flags and pictures and the morning announcements shared fun facts about the country.
If students didn’t participate this month they can jump in at any time when they see something new they want to try. If they decide to travel to France next month and try French food, they will receive their passport and get a stamp then.
Next month's trip to France will come with new decorations and a French-themed meal. Students can keep earning stamps all year and at the end of the school year, the program will wrap up with an “All American meal.”