Elementary students enjoyed a variety of tasty morsels Tuesday as they helped school officials determine what should make the school lunch menu for next year.

The 70 Toledo Public Schools students at Marshall STEMM Academy were able to pick the samples they wanted to test. Many filled their trays to the brim, testing every sample. Some timidly took only a few of the samples. Students completed a survey following the tasting.

Carrie L. Kolodziejczyk, senior director of Child Nutrition and Food Service, said the testing of foods is done yearly.

“Student input is an important factor in deciding what makes the cut and what doesn’t,” Ms. Kolodziejczyk said. “We want to make sure that what we are serving is something they really do enjoy.”

The vendors for the sampling already work with the district, Ms. Kolodziejczyk said.

The new items selected during the tastings will be ordered for the new school year.

Vendors for the elementary school crowd included Jennie O, which brought dill turkey nuggets; Sky Blue Bakery’s double chocolate muffin; Tasty Brands, who served cheese ravioli and a turkey and cheese flatbread; and Arlington Valley Farms Co., which brought snack waffles.

International flavors were available thanks to Schwan’s Company with fried rice, chicken egg rolls, and chicken potstickers; Integrated Food’s bean and cheese chalupas; Los Cabos’ minion breakfast burritos; and S&F’s sausage gravy empanadas.

Students were also able to taste healthy products like Dr. Praeger’s veggie burger; McCain’s sweet potato fries, and J&J’s fruit sorbet in cherry, mango, or strawberry.

“The elementary students have a limited pallet,” Ms. Kolodziejczyk said. “We tend to stay away from more culturally inspired, diverse foods.”

McKenzie Moore, a fifth grade student, said she did like a lot of the foods she tried.

“I really liked the Benefit Bars a lot,” McKenzie said. “I also really liked the Chinese food. It had a lot of flavor.”

Tuson Williams, a sixth grade student, agreed.

“The Chinese food was the best, but I also like the little yogurts too,” he said.

Xavier Eichenburg taste-tested most of the items available.

“I liked the sweet potato fries, the fried rice,” Xavier said. “The Twist and Go yogurt and the egg rolls were also really good.”

The vendors were also happy to have the students taste-test their foods.

“When there is no food left, you know it was good,” Billy Rosenthal with Integrated Foods said. “The kids really seemed to enjoy the chalupas.”

Adriana Flener, with J&J Snack Foods, said she has been doing the taste test in the schools for years.

“We had the Benefit Bars and the pretzels with queso and the students snapped it all up,” Ms. Flener said. “It really is the best testing the foods with the kids and seeing how they like it.”

Mr. Rosenthal said he has also been involved with the district’s taste testing and actually prefers doing the events.

“It really is better doing the food shows,” he said. “At shows, we are having adults taste the foods. Here, the kids are tasting the foods and letting us know how they like them. It really is the best.”

On Wednesday, students at Scott High School will be able to weigh in on their favorite food items. Their choices will include Arlington Farms’ stuffed chicken waffles, Los Cabos’ breakfast burrito, Integrated Foods’ spicy taco stick, spicy grilled cheese, and a bean and cheese chalupa.

International selections will include Ritchie Marketing’s gyro and Grecian delight; Schwan’s fried rice, chicken egg roll, and chicken potstickers; and International Foods’ chicken masala and Naan bread.

“The high school students tend to be more adventurous eaters,” she said. “So we will offer a Philly style steak and cheese sandwich. We will offer foods with more spice like a grilled cheese sandwich with pepperjack and habanero cheese. We try to add flavor wherever possible.”

First Published April 30, 2024, 9:51 p.m.