Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) held its second annual Food Show at Riverside High School Monday, November 3. More than 460 K-12 food service vendors, community partners, students and LCPS School Nutrition Services (SNS) united to try samples of new and exciting recipe ideas for school menus, while also receiving information on available health and wellness resources in the community.
"We had an overwhelmingly positive response to the featured recipes and it was truly refreshing to see how welcoming and enthusiastic everyone was,” said Erik Madsen, co-organizer and LCPS Executive Chef. “Having both student recipes and school nutrition cafeteria staff submissions be a part of the show was a wonderful way to showcase the talent and creativity that makes our school nutrition program so special.”
The event, titled “Flavor Forward: Powered by Students. Driven by Nutrition,” was primarily designed to highlight that the next generation of school nutrition is here and to reshape the future of meals at LCPS schools. Attendees were able to sample more than 30 new recipe ideas, from breakfast favorites to savory lunch entrees, including recipes developed by LCPS students.
"We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to host our second annual Food Show and to once again invite the community to be a part of our menu planning process,” said co-organizer Brittany Palaschak, LCPS Nutrition & Procurement Coordinator. “The feedback we received will be invaluable as we determine the direction we take with our upcoming menus. Bringing together students, families, and staff in this way helps us create meals that are both nutritious and truly enjoyed by our school community.”
Partner county-based businesses also offered valuable resources focusing on health and wellness. The feedback through surveys will guide LCPS School Nutrition Services so they can provide new, delicious and healthy meals that students will enjoy.