Crowley ISD Connections Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 21

Spork in the Road

New district food truck delivers a fun way to feed students
Written by Elisha Bury, Aramark Nutrition Associate Manager
Imagine eating at the same restaurant for lunch every
day of the week. That’s the reality for students from
kindergarten through 12th grade who dine frequently
in school cafeterias. As of last spring, there’s a new meal
option for students in Crowley ISD.
Funded and operated by  Aramark, the district’s food
service provider, the “Spork in the Road” food truck
features a rotational menu with “grab and go” favorites in a
fun, unique atmosphere.
It also offers something traditional cafeterias cannot: a
walk-up retail experience and outdoor dining. Think of the
food truck as breaking the lunch room mold by shifting
food service outside. Students enjoy that unique experience.
“You can see it on the kid’s faces,” said Kris Yarborough,
Aramark’s executive chef, who designed the food truck
menu. “They are more excited.”
Getting students excited about healthy food is part of the
food truck’s mission. Yarborough’s creations include fresh,
healthy ingredients that meet the nutrition standards set
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These items also
come in at the same price point as regular school lunches.
“We have new, unique items debuting on the food
truck,” Yarborough said. “Some of the choices include
shredded BBQ beef sandwiches, shredded beef tacos,
philly cheesesteaks, meatball subs and a Crispito, which is
chicken and cheese wrapped in a warm corn tortilla.”

The food truck was introduced in Crowley ISD in late
spring and has served as an additional food line for the
district’s high school campuses. In addition, the food truck
is instrumental in delivering food during the summer meal
program, because it can go where the students are, even if
that is a nearby park.
Spork in the Road’s schedule is evolving, but schools may
request that the food truck visit their campuses. Over
the next year, expect to see Spork in the Road popping
up at community events, including health fairs and the
Education Foundation’s Chisholm Trail 5K Run on Nov. 5.

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