Three years ago, Jamie Oliver shocked America when his TV show Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution revealed the truth behind a typical school lunch in West Virginia. If your school is one of the few that has a sustainable lunch program, read no more—you’re already in-the-know. However, if your school is one of the many whose parents are torn between brown bagging their kids' lunch or begrudgingly allowing them to partake in the hot lunch line, this article is for you.
Sustainable, healthy lunch choices are growing in popularity. This is good news. Since healthy lunch alternatives are all the rave right now, there are companies popping up across the nation offering healthier school lunch services.
St. John Greek Orthodox Day School in Florida is among schools trying out a new food supplier this year. They partnered with a local Florida restaurant chain EVOS (EVOS also serves schools in Georgia and North Carolina), to provide air-baked organic lunches three days a week to families that want to participate.
EVOS is a unique concept. It’s an organic, sustainable fast food chain. Those words just don’t seem to belong together! Its meats are made from naturally and humanely raised animals; fries are baked instead of deep fried; and shakes are made with organic milk.
EVOS isn’t the only healthy lunch service in the Florida area either. Wholesome Tummies, is another sustainable food provider that serves Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Ohio.
For St. John’s, the meals cost parents roughly $5 a day. This includes an entrée, a fruit or vegetable, a snack, bottled water, and condiments. Main courses are the same as patrons would find in the restaurant—hot dogs, wraps, chicken strips, or a vegetarian option.
This service could be a great alternative for private schools with smaller (or no) kitchens and limited staff.
If you’re looking for an idea for your next newsletter home to parents, here’s a link to healthy lunch recipes.
