New meal program supports teachers taking the ‘4 for $40’ Challenge
HISD is piloting a Teacher Meal program at 29 of its schools to support campus-based educators taking the district’s 4 for $40 Challenge.
Launched in January, the program is intended to allow teachers to obtain adult-sized portions of healthy foods once a week from the schools’ cafeterias, so that they don’t have to leave campus to buy lunch. Teacher meals cost $5 each and are served every Wednesday, with menu offerings ranging from comfort foods to healthy alternatives.
“We use fresh ingredients to create tasty and nutritious dishes for the teachers,” said Nutrition Services Chef Michael Bargas, who is responsible for the recipes in the program. “We want to provide food that is different from student meals, but seamlessly executable by our kitchen staff.”
“We offer a meal that is in line with the 4 for $40 challenge,” added Manager of Food Services Operations Les Baylis, who created the teacher meals concept. “One result is that teachers are able to dine with students, but that isn’t the primary goal.”
The Teacher Meal program currently serves between 10 and 40 percent of teachers at participating schools. Nutrition Services plans to expand the program to additional campuses.
That is the best idea that I have heard. Sounds great.
I think that it should be available in all of our schools.