1. Creative food mix for all ages
Natalie Bryslan, BS
Creative food mix for all ages

2. Overview Nutritional needs of your school’s age group(s)
Tailor food items to the pallet of your school’s age group(s)
Same ingredients, various menu options.
Fruit and vegetable options to different age group(s)
Naming menu items

3. Age group specific nutrient standards
Look at the calorie, saturated fat, and sodium ranges for the grades you will be serving
There may be some really great items you want to serve your students but they nutritionals do not fall within these ranges.
Nutrient Standards
Grades K-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Calories
Saturated Fat
<10 %
<10%
Sodium (mg)
<1,230
< 1,360
<1,420

4. Evaluate your age groups pallets
Elementary students tend to gravitate towards the “finger foods” (i.e. chicken nuggets, corn dogs, hot dogs, and pizza)
Middle school students are influenced by what their friends eat. If they don’t know what it is, they are very unlikely to try it. Stick with items they know (i.e hamburgers/cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and pizza)
High school students like the “grab n’ go” foods that are similar to items they can get at a restaurant or a fast food place. Branding is very important to this group

5. Food trends
When creating menu items for all of your age groups think of the foods that are ‘in’ right now.
Local foods
Plant-based protein foods
Street tacos
Spicy foods
“Farm to table” menus
Scratch-made condiments
Vegetable carb substitutes

6. Activity
You are processing diced chicken for the next school year. How many different menu items can you come up with that would be appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school students?
Don’t worry about nutritionals for the sake of the activity.

7. How many did you come up with?
Chicken enchiladas
Chicken quesadillas
Chicken pot pie casserole
Chicken noodle soup
BBQ Chicken tostadas
Chicken alfredo pasta
Chicken tortilla soup
Chicken lettuce wraps
Chicken nachos
Chicken tacos
Teriyaki chicken tacos
Baja chicken tacos
Korean chicken tacos
Buffalo chicken tacos
Thai chicken tacos
Honey chipotle chicken tacos
Chicken taco salad
Chicken burritos
Chicken salad sandwiches
Chicken posole

8. Activity
You are using ground beef for the next school year. How many different menu items can you come up with that would be appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school students?
Don’t worry about nutritionals for the sake of the activity.

9. How many did you come up with?
Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
Cheeseburger Burrito
Meatloaf
Beef tacos
Beef burrito
Shepherd’s Pie
Crunch Wrap
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Meat Sauce
Spaghetti
Lasagna
Hamburger stroganoff
Sloppy Joes
Patty Melt
Hamburgers
Jalapeno Cheddar Burger
Cowboy burger (onions and mushrooms)
Bonsai Burger (teriyaki sauce and pineapple)
BBQ Onion Ring Burger
Double Patty Burger
Southwest Burger
Avocado Burger
Breakfast Burger

10. Fruit and vegetables Age specific eating obstacles Options Braces
Missing/loose teeth
Age group dexterity
Options
Salad bar for high school
More varied fruits and vegetables for high school
Three bean salad, roasted chickpeas, fresh pineapple, etc.
Familiar fruits and vegetables for elementary/middle school
Oranges, apples, applesauce, baby carrots, celery, broccoli, etc.

11. Naming and branding Elementary Middle and High School
Creative, fun and descriptive names
Examples:
Apple Crunchers
Cauliflower Clouds
Celery Swords
Kickin’ Chicken Nuggets
Mama’s Marvelous Meatballs
Outrageous Oranges
Galaxy Pizza
Rockin’ Raisins
Big Bad Bean Burrito
Middle and High School
Focus on similar names fast food restaurants use; these are the products they’re geared towards
Examples:
Supreme Burrito (Burrito Supreme from Taco Bell)
Crunch Wrap (Taco Bell)
Deluxe Burger (Wendy’s)
Jr Hamburger (Wendy’s)
Cheesy Cheddar Burger (Wendy’s)
Chick-n-Strips (Chick-fil-a)
Original Double Burger (Dairy Queen)
Buffalo Chicken Snack Melt (Dairy Queen)

12. Resources
signs-and-labels