Gold Star School Lunches
Meet a preschool in Southeast Michigan serving up some impressing meals
By Marygrace Taylor
The Leaning Tree Child Care Centers, Southeast Michigan
All too often, it’s what’s wrong with school lunches that grabs the headlines. But here at KIWI, we know that plenty of schools are working hard to improve their food. That’s why four years ago, we launched the KIWI Crusaders Awards to acknowledge what meal programs are doing right. Here, one of our 2011 KIWI Crusaders winners: (And check back with MyHealthySchool.com soon to hear more about our 2012 search!)
The Leaning Tree Child Care Centers, Southeast Michigan
When it comes to trying new, healthy foods, most kids are a little reluctant, says Karen Ballard, regional director for The Leaning Tree Child Care Centers. "But once they see their classmates gobbling up a particular dish, they start eating it, too—it’s peer pressure at its finest!" says Ballard.
Since the school’s founding in 1982, all four branches of The Learning Tree Child Care Centers have emphasized the importance of teaching kids to eat nutritious foods. The schools’ policy against outside food ensures the food eaten by their 280 preschoolers are made from scratch with whole grains, as well as organic produce, meat, and dairy.
Learning Tree students also have a hand in preparing the food. Lesson plans are theme-based and include a related cooking lesson, like whole wheat waffles for "W" week or cars made out of sliced bananas and raisins for transportation week. "We want to show kids that making healthy food is just as fun as making treats," says Ballard.
Learning Tree has taken on other impressive green initiatives, too. Last year, they made the switch from paper to cloth napkins and swapped plastic utensils and dishware for stainless steel and glass options. With their award-money for being chose as one of the KIWI Crusaders, they’re hoping to educate parents on sustainability and healthy eating by holding seminars with green experts and organic farmers.
Most popular lunch: Chicken Mex Mac-n-Cheese
Recent healthy update: Providing foods that are as unprocessed as possible, such as nixing canned beans in favor of dry ones they soak and cook themselves.
Students’ reaction in one word: Enthusiastic!
What parents can do: When choosing a preschool, ask questions about a school’s green initiatives, like whether they serve organic food or use nontoxic cleaning products, says Ballard.
