LANCASTER, CA - Some local students are putting their taste buds to the test, in an effort to improve school lunches. Six local students headed to the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds Thursday for the Partners in Nutrition Co-Op (PINCO) food show.
Local students got a taste of school meal options from more than 150 vendors from around the country. They also gave feedback on what's included in school food menus.
Food Service Manager Mason Hollingsworth said, "They will try the product. If they like it, or dislike it, they fill out the type of product, the vendor's name, the product number and they rate it from one to five."
The Kern County Superintendent of Schools will take that information to determine what will be served in our local cafeterias.
High school senior Jacqueline Balderas said, "It's really good that they're taking the kids' opinions off of it instead of just what they want."
The students i spoke with say they're excited to have a hand in selecting the food served in our schools. After sampling the food at the show, they say they hope to see some menu changes.
High school junior Robert Terrazas said, "I hope they change pizza Friday's because the pizza I tried here is way better than the stuff at the school."
While the options taste good, Hollingsworth says they're healthy too.
"All the food products that are here meet the USDA standards and guidelines for nutritious meals. So everything here will be whole grain. Right now there's a push for reducing sodium. So the things here will be reduced sodium," Hollingsworth said.
The co-op is comprised of 39 school districts, that select food options together. More than 20 of those are from Kern County.
Local students got a taste of school meal options from more than 150 vendors from around the country. They also gave feedback on what's included in school food menus.
Food Service Manager Mason Hollingsworth said, "They will try the product. If they like it, or dislike it, they fill out the type of product, the vendor's name, the product number and they rate it from one to five."
The Kern County Superintendent of Schools will take that information to determine what will be served in our local cafeterias.
High school senior Jacqueline Balderas said, "It's really good that they're taking the kids' opinions off of it instead of just what they want."
The students i spoke with say they're excited to have a hand in selecting the food served in our schools. After sampling the food at the show, they say they hope to see some menu changes.
High school junior Robert Terrazas said, "I hope they change pizza Friday's because the pizza I tried here is way better than the stuff at the school."
While the options taste good, Hollingsworth says they're healthy too.
"All the food products that are here meet the USDA standards and guidelines for nutritious meals. So everything here will be whole grain. Right now there's a push for reducing sodium. So the things here will be reduced sodium," Hollingsworth said.
The co-op is comprised of 39 school districts, that select food options together. More than 20 of those are from Kern County.