Celebrity Chefs Say 'Let's Do (School) Lunch'

This information was provided in a press release written by Caroline Correia from Growing Great Schools.

School lunch reform is making great progres in West Hartford.

The elementary schools have been running a pilot program since last year to introduce new menu items to the kids. These menu items were created by Hunter Morton from MAX Downtown and taste-tested at three schools. This year, the items are being rolled out to all 11 elementary schools in town. Morton was called to action after he met White House Chef Sam Kass who was encouraging chefs to take action in community schools and join the "Chefs Move to Schools" – part of the First Lady's "Let's Move" effort.
 
This year more chefs are on board! Morton has spoken to his colleagues and recruited Billy Grant (Grant's, Bricco, Bricco Trattoria), Chris Torla (Trumbull Kitchen), Dorjan Puka (Treva) and Adam Greenberg (Barcelona). These chefs have been in the schools serving samples of new items to the kids and generating enthusiasm for healthy eating. It's been incredible!
 
Parents and their children are now invited to meet the chefs, taste test new items and vote on them at a "Let's Do School Lunch" event. The event will take place on Friday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m at . All of the celebrity chefs will be there and it should be a fun and delicious night. School lunch has never tasted this good!
 
This school lunch movement has been a true collaboration between school nutrition staff, administration, Board of Ed, the chefs, parents and the advocacy group I co-founded, Growing Great Schools. We are not only working on changes in the lunchroom, but education and making connections for the children.

Simply offering new menu items won't change habits. We are working on kid-run farmer's markets, school gardens, and curriculum enhancements. and are both running Farmer's Markets at their schools on Thursday. The kids were able to learn about their local farms, the value of buying local, what's in season, and how to market and sell their items.

Their enthusiasm is contagious!

For more information visit the website: www.growingreatschools.org.