PETERS TOWNSHIP
SCHOOL DISTRICT eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
SERVING UP NEW ITEMS IN THE PT CAFETERIA
Back to school in Peters Township often means new backpacks and new school supplies to start the year off right ! This year , students and parents were also met with many new options and improved menus in the cafeterias across all grade levels .
Last spring a team of District parents and administrators came together to analyze what was working and what needed upgrading on our District menus . Through months of research and working with the team from Aramark , the District ’ s Food Service contractor , a list of improvements was planned for the new school year .
To begin , NutriSlice , the digital menu service that features the daily offerings for each school , was enhanced and families now have quick access to nutritional information and allergens to help make the right food choice for their child . In addition , the service will soon also include photos of the daily meals to help our youngest students with their selections .
“ We have many students with allergies and other food sensitivities that impact their health ,” said Food Service Operations Manager Brittany Raffaele . “ We want to support those families every way that we can .”
With their plan to provide the health information in place , the team turned to the food options – looking at what favorites they
McMurray students add fresh fruit to their school lunch .
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The Food Service team serves up some of the new options in the High School cafeteria .
wanted to keep and finding new items to interest the students of all ages . Walking tacos and pizza day will always be crowd pleasers in the cafeteria , but surveyed students expressed an interest in items such as an expanded pasta bar , veggie bowls and Bento boxes .
“ We also wanted to be sure that we were offering our students the freshest and healthiest food that we could ,” said Jennifer Grossman , a parent of elementary students and a member of the Peters Township School Board . “ When available , the fruits and vegetables that accompany the entrees will be locally sourced .”
Aramark has also
Menu items online show complete nutritional listing as well and a photo of the menu items .
partnered with new vendors and will utilize new preparation methods to create healthier , tastier meals for students and staff . All chicken products will be from Tyson and are made with no antibiotics , free of artificial ingredients , steroids or hormones . The deli products are Smithfield Healthy and likewise contain no MSG , artificial flavors or added hormones .
Immediate feedback from parents and students alike has been positive about the changes . Students are open to trying new items and grateful that some old favorites are still available throughout the month .
As the District has once again offered both in-person and remote learning to families , the Food Service team is also providing lunch to remote families through a grab and go service . Families with children who are enrolled in remote learning and sign up via the Food Service website for a school lunch . To limit frequent trips to campus for families , meal pick ups are provided twice each week with enough food being provided for the non-pick up days .
Information regarding this service for remote families , as well as links to NutriSlice and complete menus for all school buildings may be found on the Food Service page of the District website ptsd . k12 . pa . us / FoodService . aspx .