Category Archives: Food Services

HISD Nutrition Services called a ‘role model’ after acing state review

TDA Lead Monitors Kelly Craig and Sally Page sign the preliminary review report to Nutrition Services Senior Administrator Audene Chung.

TDA Lead Monitors Kelly Craig and Sally Page sign the preliminary review report to Nutrition Services Senior Administrator Audene Chung.

HISD’s Nutrition Services Department was praised recently by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) as a “role model” for other districts after achieving a near-perfect score on an administrative review.

The preliminary review debriefing took place on Feb. 26, and Nutrition Services was praised for its efforts to provide HISD students with the best school meals in the state.

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HISD observes National School Breakfast Week March 7–11

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The Houston Independent School District encourages students to start their day with a healthy breakfast. That’s why HISD’s Nutrition Services Department is observing National School Breakfast Week March 7–11, with the theme of “Blasting off with Breakfast.” The districtwide effort highlights the many benefits of HISD’s free breakfast program.

This year, Nutrition Services invited two local heroes to show students the importance of breakfast at school. On March 8, the Houston Texan’s mascot Toro pumped up students for a day of learning in the breakfast line at Montgomery ES, courtesy of Dairy MAX. And on March 10, NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke will be on a mission at Grissom ES to talk about the importance of healthy eating for space travel.

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First Class Breakfast expands to middle and high schools

A student at Jackson Middle School enjoys breakfast at her desk through the First Class Breakfast program.

A student at Jackson Middle School enjoys breakfast at her desk through the First Class Breakfast program.

HISD has been serving healthy, nutritious breakfasts for free to all students every school morning since 2010, and many of them receive it right in the classroom through First Class Breakfast.

Now, even more secondary students are taking advantage of this option. First Class Breakfast was already in place at 40 middle and high schools, but Nutrition Services recently added two more schools to the program and continues to add schools weekly.

Offering breakfast to students in the classroom eliminates many of the obstacles that get in the way of students eating the first meal of the day. Kenya Davis, a student at Washington High School, noted that some of her classmates ride the bus and get to school just as the bell rings. “I love the idea of breakfast in the classroom,” she said. “It gives students who are on time for school — but late for breakfast — an opportunity to eat.”

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New inspection app simplifies food quality assurance in HISD schools

HISD Nutrition Services Quality Control Representative Jeffery Chenier conducts food inspections in school kitchens using a new web-based inspection application.

HISD Nutrition Services Quality Control Representative Jeffery Chenier conducts food inspections in school kitchens using a new web-based inspection application.

Every day, HISD Nutrition Services quality control representatives visit school cafeteria kitchens to ensure that food is safe to serve and kitchens meet the city’s safety standards.

Nutrition Services recently upgraded its quality control inspection process with a new mobile application that allows for faster food-safety assessments. The new application helps quality control representatives inspect more schools and share more information with other departments.

“The application easily tracks scores for each school and we are able to send the reports directly to the operations team,” said Quality Assurance Manager Heather Kohn. “We can also attach pictures, giving a better understanding of the issues that need to be addressed.” Kohn added that Nutrition Services puts great emphasis on food safety and the prevention of foodborne illnesses in the district’s school kitchens.

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Nutrition Services takes nutrition lessons to church

Chef Trainer Brittany Jones (left) and Education Dietitian Jennifer Lengyel present healthy cooking and nutrition education to members of Heaven Bound Christian Worship Center.

Chef Trainer Brittany Jones (left) and Education Dietitian Jennifer Lengyel present healthy cooking and nutrition education to members of Heaven Bound Christian Worship Center.

HISD Nutrition Services Education Dietitian Brittany Jones and Chef Trainer Jennifer Lengyel presented healthy cooking options to members of the Heaven Bound Christian Worship Center, where church members sampled dishes created through advances in the culinary arts.

Ministry Leader KeAndre Lewis was seeking a healthy eating class for her congregation. Nutrition Services Operations Manager Keith Lewis, who also happens to be Lewis’s husband, recommended Lengyel and Jones, both of whom have vast experience in community education.

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Nutrition Services serves up healthier Thanksgiving lunch

Kindergarteners at the School at St. George Place enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.


Kindergarteners at the School at St. George Place enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

HISD Nutrition Services got a head start on the holiday season Nov. 19 by serving a turkey lunch with all the trimmings to HISD students and parents. The annual Thanksgiving meal is an HISD tradition that has attracted thousands of families to school cafeterias for more than 50 years. The event gives parents and caregivers a chance to celebrate the holiday a week early by sharing a meal with their children.

This year’s menu included roasted turkey with gravy, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, a fresh fruit medley, and vanilla cake with apple topping. But while the dishes were traditional, Nutrition Services chefs worked hard to make them healthier this year, and not one student noticed. Continue reading →

K. Smith Elementary celebrates opening of new cafeteria

After months of eating meals in temporary buildings, students and staff at K. Smith Elementary School celebrated the opening of a brand new cafeteria and kitchen this past week, and the new facility is getting thumbs-up from both.

Smith Elementary School opened its new cafeteria and kitchen to give students healthier meals.

Smith Elementary School opened its new cafeteria and kitchen to give students healthier meals.

“We were in temporary buildings for the longest time,” said Nutrition Services attendant Maria Mireles, who has been with Smith for 10 years. “There’s nothing better than to have our own kitchen to prepare meals for the kids.”

Smith Elementary School Principal Gloria Salazar is happy her students are dining in a permanent facility and are able to relax and enjoy a hot, healthy meal.

“We are now having fresher choices in food,” Salazar said. “The combination of meals and new cafeteria is a morale booster for our students.”

“The food is great and my friends and I get more space at lunch time,” said student Andrea Medina.

First Class Breakfast program expanding to high schools

Food Research and Action Center awards Nutrition Services $64,000 grant

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has awarded HISD’s Nutrition Services department $64,000 to expand the First Class Breakfast program in HISD high schools. The grant will ensure that students at eight high schools get a nutritious, free breakfast every school day.

A 2012 HISD study reported better academic performance, behavior, and attendance in schools that served breakfast. Nutrition Services Director of Operations Odell Warren explained how beneficial the program is to helping students stay focused in class.

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Nutrition Services offers tips on how to maximize Halloween fun

Stevens Elementary School student Ke’Oshia Johnson picks up a treat during healthy Halloween class.

Stevens Elementary School student Ke’Oshia Johnson picks up a treat during healthy Halloween class.

Excited children in costumes will soon flood neighborhood sidewalks to perform their annual collection of Halloween treats. As plastic pumpkins fill with sugary sweets, parents may ask, “Is it possible to have a healthy Halloween?”

Nutrition Services Education Dietitian Jennifer Lengyel believes it is, through proper education. Lengyel has been teaching elementary school students how to become responsible trick-or-treaters and avoid the issues that come with overindulging.

“The goal is for students to have fun during Halloween, to learn moderation, and take care of their bodies,” Lengyel said. “Talking about how they feel when having too much candy is a better teaching tool than just telling them what not to do.” Continue reading →

Nutrition Services adds more fresh fruits and vegetables to menu

Fresh fruit and vegetables story

DeChaumes Elementary School students enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables at lunch.

USDA’s MyPlate recommends children eat three and a half cups of fruits and vegetables daily, and the fresher they are, the more nutrients they contain. HISD Nutrition Services is offering healthier choices for students by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to school menus.

“We want to offer more varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables to get the students excited about eating healthy foods at school,” said HISD Dietitian Amanda Oceguera. “It was rewarding to see the students’ positive reactions to our Texas-grown watermelon, and we plan to continue offering more items like it.”

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