3. Consumer packaged goods
Carrollton City Schools in Carrollton City, Ga., works to provide hospitality by tapping into the district’s student councils. Students made clear they wanted more choices and portability, so the food and nutrition team found in-house potential in a childhood staple: Lunchables. The nutrition team uses an on-site packaging machine to produce Smartables, which are DIY entree items such as wraps, pita sandwiches and mini pizzas that are easy to eat on the go. The items are compartmentalized in a plastic tray and served with fruit or vegetables.
“The younger students say they feel more grown up—like we’re not serving them as much,” says Linette Dodson, director of school nutrition for the district. “We can portion it, but they can have more liberty to add what they want.”