At Crystal Area Middle and High schools in Carson City, Michigan food service director Michael Wensel really focuses on getting to know the students better each day and has implemented whole fruit smoothie taste testing. Wensel believes engaging the students is critical to help them make healthy choices on their own. Smoothie taste tests are a quick, easy, and fun for the students. Food service staff along with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Educators encourage students to try all 3 flavors of smoothies. The staff then plans on using the taste testing to take the most popular smoothie flavor and introduce it in school lunches as another option for a healthy choice at lunch time.
More from this Michigan Team Nutrition Smarter Lunchroom Moves Success Story Compendium:
- Smarter, Brighter, and More Inviting Salad Bars
- Impact of Smarter Lunchroom Coaches
- Partnerships Create Culture of Health
- Partner to Power Smarter Lunchrooms
- School Gardens Engage Students
- Smarter Lunchroom Moves that Work
- Smarter Lunchroom Student Teams
Contributor
Nicholas Drzal, RD, MPH, Michigan Department of Education
For more information, contact Michael Wensel, Food Service Director, Crystal Area Schools, Carson City, Michigan