Tracking food trends can be difficult. Especially if you’re trying to figure out what’s gourmet and trendy for kids, a capricious and picky target audience. Thankfully, his Chartwells K12, a school feeding service provider serving approximately 2 million meals daily in 4,500 public, charter and private schools nationwide, has plenty of access to direct feedback and data from hungry sources. I can do it.
“Student preferences are at the forefront of every new program or menu item we introduce,” explains Peter Gilhooly, Chartwells K12’s Culinary Chef and Vice President. “With daily access to invaluable insights from the students we serve, we work with children to create fun, delicious, healthy and nutritious food options on school menus. You can create
Chartwells K12’s 3rd Annual Food Trends Report is compiled by culinary experts and registered dietitians using both expert experience and data from nearly 40 state school districts. Here are his top 10 kids food trends for 2023 from Chartwells K12.
- Welcome: Children are increasingly interested in authentically exploring diverse cultures and cuisines. Chartwells’ new Global Eats program was created to immerse students in recipes created in collaboration with renowned chefs. This includes dishes like albondigas con aroz for stop in Mexico and roasted eggplant caponata for swing in Italy.
- HOT, HOT, HOT: There is a growing appetite among students for spicier dishes and seasonings. The introduction of new spices and seasonings has long been part of Chartwell’s Discovery Kitchen nutrition education program, according to the release.
- Connect with the Community: Chartwells K12 programs are growing in popularity for eating and learning from locally grown produce, local favorite foods, and even foods grown by our students and school staff.
- Fighting food (waste): Protecting the planet is just as important for children as it is for adults, eating more plant foods and preventing food waste starts food for kids It has become a trend for Recipes like Veggie Frittata and Watermelon Pork Bowl from Chartwell’s new Veg Out concept provide students with plant-based meal options.
- Treat yourself to being healthy: Thanks to the Chartwells K12 program and other classes and resources, learning more about health and wholesome ingredients has led many students to enjoy treats like Chartwells K12 chocolate black bean brownies. I started looking. trend report.
- The Power of Plants: Plant-based options are important for many children. Chartwells K12 survey found that 1 in 3 students said vegetarian or vegan options were very important when choosing lunches school-wide. Ranked as important or very important.
- Dining at Moo-ve: Kids are often just as busy as adults from the time the alarm goes off until the morning, thanks to school, extracurricular activities, and more. Meal preparation is key to keeping up with your busy life. Chartwells K12 offers smoothies that allow students to enjoy a quick meal in the cafeteria or between classes while ensuring they are eating healthier ingredients such as yogurt, milk and fruit.
- LIVE IN COLOR: When it comes to food, kids aren’t afraid to get colorful! Colorful fruits and vegetables add a fun and engaging visual element to meals and have become a favorite of students at Chartwells K12 School. rice field.
- Best thing since sliced bread: Variety is the spice of life in a perennial kids favorite, the sandwich! Some of the most popular creations of food service providers.
- Get saucy: When asked about condiments, classics like ketchup and mustard may be the first things that come to mind, but experimental sauces and salsas are the new, experimental flavor combinations and the variety of cuisines and spiciness. It is gaining popularity thanks to other trending interest in such cuisines. flavor. Popular salsas and sauces at Chartwells K12 include Balsamic Blueberry Salsa and Mojo Barbecue His Sauce.
See also from GDA.