TRENTON, NJ (November 19, 2011)—There was a smorgasbord of foods New Jersey children might see next school year in their school cafeterias at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton on Thursday, Nov. 17 as the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and New Jersey School Nutrition Association held their annual Commodity Food Show.
The show allows manufacturers and distributors to give school food service professionals a preview of the latest trends in prepared school foods made from United States Department of Agriculture commodities. With the Garden State’s strict school nutrition policy, many offerings were lower in fat and sodium, baked, not fried, and high in whole grains.
“Utilization of USDA commodities helps school food service operations reduce their food costs while providing healthy and nutritious meals,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “The program is part of the Department’s overall commitment to providing students with healthy choices in their school cafeterias.”
Fifty-four vendors were on hand for the show, which was attended by 200 school food service representatives from all over the state. This was the first year the annual event was held at the Sun Center.
Read more at NJ Today: http://njtoday.net/2011/11/19/middlesex-county-students-taste-test-school-food-offerings
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.