SARTELL, Minn. – In bustling high school cafeterias, "smart snacks" have quietly made their way into the lunch line — and school officials hope kids will like them because the cafeteria's bottom line could depend on it.
On Monday in Sartell High School's lunchroom, students bemoaned the absence of candy bars, mozzarella sticks and the ice cream bar.
New nutrition standards went into effect July 1, and students are seeing the impact in food offerings these first few weeks of school.
The a la carte line is filled with whole grain Goldfish, smaller General Mills breakfast bars that meet new calorie requirements and frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. Yes, there's still a pizza option, complete with whole-grain crust. And students can find (less-sugary) diet soda and low-calorie flavored water in addition to 100 percent juice or low-fat milk.
But the specialty-item line is not filled with as many students this year, Sartell cafeteria workers said Monday. And that could prove concerning if it drastically changes the cash flow in the lunchroom.