For Greenville County Schools Nutrition Director Joe Urban, menu inspiration is everywhere, so long as you know where to look.
“Anywhere you can think of, anywhere I see something cool that has not been done in school food, that’s where I try to get my inspiration from,” he says.
That being said, there are some tried-and-true places Urban turns to time and again.
Here are five he seeks out when trying to decide what to add to the menu next.
1. Other countries
Travel is one of the best ways to gather menu ideas, says Urban, who likes to get out of town a couple times a year. Mexico, especially, has been a source of menu inspiration for him. From a recent trip to Mexico City, he brought back several ideas that are currently being tested with students at the Greenville, S.C., district.
“[I] always come back from those trips with a menu item, or a couple menu items, in mind that we test with our kids here,” says Urban.
2. Local food scene
Menu inspiration can also be found a lot closer to home. Urban makes a point to visit local restaurants on a regular basis and is always looking for new ideas when he sits down to eat.
“If I'm in a place and I see something cool, my first thought is—how do I knock that off in a school food version?” he says.
Urban recommends that operators go to student-favorite spots in their community, whether that’s a restaurant or even a mall food court, and try to recreate some of their most popular dishes.
3. Higher education
In a similar vein, Urban likes to frequent nearby colleges and universities to find ideas.
“In every community, there's a university near them that, in most cases, they do a really, really outstanding job,” says Urban, adding that he spent around four months scouting college eateries in the area when he became nutrition director at Greenville County.
Higher ed was also where Urban got the idea for the district’s build-your-own bars, which have become student favorites.
4. Personal networks
Operators should also tap into their networks when searching for what to menu next. Coming from a restaurant background, Urban has chef friends throughout the country whom he turns to for inspiration.
“We all do different kinds of things. So anytime I see them doing something cool, I try to knock off that as well,” says Urban.
5. Other school districts
Last but not least, other school districts can provide menu ideas. Instead of focusing on just one district, Urban recommends that operators look at different nutrition programs throughout the country and see which ideas they could replicate.
“Steal a piece of everybody,” says Urban. “I think you can take one good idea from every one of those places.”