Before the end of last school year, our Downey Unified Food Services team planned and shot a new photo campaign to share with our DUSD community.
“We wanted to showcase the high-quality foods available in our program,” explained Marc Milton, director of food services. “School lunch isn’t what it used to be!”
To drive that point home, the team devised the idea to dress up some of our school meals as if they were being served in a restaurant. After all, it’s the same type of high-quality ingredients, just served on a school lunch tray instead of a dinner plate.
The team also wanted to promote some of their newest recipes and the variety of cuisines served. While traditional school lunch offerings are part of the rotation, Downey Unified Food Services also includes popular items you might find at trendy restaurants such as chicken and waffles, chicken bowls, dumplings, chicken wings, street tacos and more.
“Our meals stand out due to the quality of ingredients used in recipes, the variety of items offered every day and food that is not typically served or associated with school meals,” said Mr. Milton.
Unlike a restaurant, families can count on Food Services to provide healthy, nutritious options for our students.
“We have strict nutritional guidelines established by the USDA so our food uses less salt and fats in our recipes, at least 50% whole grains in most items and smaller portion sizes that are appropriate for each grade level,” Mr. Milton said. “We use the highest quality ingredients available, including whole muscle chicken breasts (not formed and pressed patties), clean labels on pre-packaged/pre-made items with the fewest ingredients possible, non-GMO and organic produce when available.”
Be on the lookout for the new photo campaign, coming soon as posters to the cafeteria and to our social media feeds!