Mascots play a starring role for school nutrition teams
By Benita Gingerella on Dec. 16, 2019School nutrition teams around the country are using mascots to engage young eaters. Four mascots share how they get students excited about healthy choices.
B. Well Bee; Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis
When did you join the culinary and wellness services team?
I am the “new-bee” member of the team—joining in November 2019.
Can you describe a typical day on the job?
I start each day fueling my body with a balanced breakfast! I then buzz around the city making sure to visit at least a few of the 33 school gardens every day, with an occasional stop at the Culinary Center’s education farm. But the most important thing I do when buzzing around is pollinate. Did you know that some crops, including blueberries and cherries, are 90% dependent on honey bee pollination?
What is your favorite part of your day?
Lunch time, of course! School cafeterias are always humming. I love seeing students build a healthy school lunch and try new fresh fruits and vegetables served daily on our market cart salad bars. It is especially exciting when students are enjoying the local foods that I help pollinate.
How do you help get students engaged?
I swarm the schools! I visit cafeterias and classrooms as often as possible. Three times each school year, MPS Culinary & Wellness Services hosts True Food Taste Tests during lunch in elementary and middle schools to expose students to new flavors and foods, and to encourage adventurous eating habits. Farmers that grow food just for our students will visit our schools, and we always find fun ways to celebrate True Food. I am also so excited that three Minneapolis schools have their own beehives.
LA Ray; Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles
When did you join the Cafe LA team?
I was brought on board in fall 2017 after an extensive interview process. They wanted someone with a sunny disposition, and I “outshined” the competition!
Can you describe a typical day on the job?
My job duties include smiling, waving, giving high-fives, moon walking and jumping with excitement—all with the goal of getting our students and parents excited about the many meal programs offered throughout Los Angeles Unified. I am currently blazing on to the next school with my Cafe LA entourage to continue our mission to “Nourish Children to Achieve Excellence.”
What do you wish students knew about school foodservice?
We have a staff of dedicated, caring people who work tirelessly to prepare delicious and healthy meals made with love. We only use quality ingredients, and our kitchens are clean and sanitary. Our foodservice staff provides excellent service with a smile and has an open-door policy where parents and students can provide feedback or just drop by to say hello.
What are your goals for next school year and beyond?
To continue to spread the word of “Choose What You Want, Eat What You Choose.” This allows students to understand that they have a choice in the cafeteria using offer versus serve principles, rather than taking all of the menu items offered. I want to encourage students to “Taste It, Don’t Waste It,” which is a slogan used to give waste reduction education and teach kids about landfills and how our waste in the cafeterias affects our planet. With all the great menu options we have available during the school day, we want to encourage all of our students to participate in our meal programs.
Chef Buddy; Calcasieu Parish Public Schools, Lake Charles, La.
When did you join the nutrition services team?
October of 2017, and every day has been a fun adventure since!
Can you describe a typical day on the job?
A typical day for me starts early! I help the cafeteria staff make delicious and healthy meals that set our students up for success in the classroom. Once the meal is served, I like to go talk with the students, encourage them to try their fruits and vegetables and get them excited about eating with us.
How do you help get students engaged?
I like to tell students how each food has a different job in their bodies and how it is important to have all types of foods, especially colorful fruits and vegetables. To make sure we are serving food they like, we get feedback in different ways. A survey is sent to students, parents and teachers to ask about foods they like and don’t like. We taste test new recipes and products with students to let them make choices about our future menus.
What are your goals for next school year and beyond?
To get more students in our cafeterias across the district. To partner with [Head Chef David Savoie] and our entire team to create meals students love and an environment they want to be in. And to get as many high-fives as possible!
NIC (Nutrition Instructional Chimp); Northside Independent School District, San Antonio
When did you join the nutrition services team?
I was in the imagination and minds of the nutrition staff in 2007 and lived as a cartoon on menu calendars highlighting nutrition throughout my many adventures. Each month of the calendar provided a coloring page that corresponded with different topics including Breakfast, Fruits & Veggies, Food Safety and Physical Activity.
I came out of cartoon world and was brought to life as part of the child nutrition team in May 2010. I had a family! I was so happy that I started to dance. I even got sent to a mascot training camp that helped me learn how to express myself without talking. I did not realize how popular I would become so fast. And how important my message really is.
Can you describe a typical day on the job?
My job is very exciting. I never know where I will be. I may be at a school talking to all the students in the cafeteria about the importance of nutrition and exercise and making good choices in the cafeteria. I could be attending a health fair, a PTA meeting, a career day, a health and wellness meeting or school promotions. I have been in parades, and I get to meet famous people—political leaders, USDA and [Texas Department of Agriculture] staff and professional football players, as well as other mascots.
What is your favorite part of your day?
Seeing the students faces light up when they recognize me. I love giving high-fives and getting my picture taken with the students. Some students are a little shy, but most of them get excited. They also see me on the signs in the cafeteria and in life-size posters when I am not available to appear in person.
What do you wish students knew about school foodservice?
I wish students would come to breakfast, a very important meal for them. It helps them fuel up and be ready to study in the classrooms and make good grades on their assignments and tests.