Cape students sample new dishes during School Lunch Week

Cape Henlopen School District joined schools across the country in celebrating National School Lunch Week Oct. 13 to 17, highlighting the importance of healthy, balanced meals for students.

This year’s theme, Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport, encouraged students to explore global flavors and cultural connections right from their school cafeterias.

Throughout the week, Cape’s Child Nutrition Services team hosted super sampler events at schools across the district. Fun, interactive tastings featured small portions of internationally inspired menu items, offering students a chance to sample dishes such as roasted chickpeas, chicken empanadas, Brazilian cheese bites, hush puppies and more. Each cafeteria was transformed into a mini “food passport experience,” complete with maps, themed decorations and opportunities for students to stamp their passports each time they tried a new dish.

Students also had the opportunity to taste Summer J. Artisan Ice Pops. The local vendor has created a frozen FDA-approved smart snack. The all-natural, vegan, gluten- and dairy-free pops are made with simple ingredients and nothing artificial.

The initiative is part of the district’s ongoing effort to promote healthy eating habits, expand students’ palates and celebrate the diversity of its school community. By introducing new flavors in an engaging way, the district aims to make mealtime both nutritious and exciting. Students were also able to share feedback on their favorite dishes, helping the Child Nutrition Services team explore new menu possibilities for future school lunches.

“We want our students to see that school lunch can be both healthy and adventurous,” said Stacy Smith, Cape Child Nutrition Services supervisor. “The super sampler events give them a chance to explore new foods and cultures while understanding that nutritious meals can come from anywhere in the world.” Smith also noted the importance of including the students when it comes to deciding what items they want to see in their cafeterias. “At Cape, we highly value student feedback. Hosting a district-wide sampling event allows us to better understand students’ preferences, so we can offer meals they enjoy while continuing to meet all nutritional and regulatory requirements.”