Take a Taste
Throughout the school year, Elementary School Cafeterias will be hosting seasonal “Take a Taste” days, where students will have the opportunity to sample a new healthy food dish. The goal of this initiative is to expose students to a wide array of nutritious foods, educate on farm to table practices, and demonstrate the benefits of a balanced diet.
- September - Great Apple Crunch
- October - Pumpkins
- November - Spaghetti Squash
- December - Pears
- February - National Heart Health Month
- March - National Nutrition Month & National School Breakfast Week
- April - Asparagus for Earth Day
- May - Milk for the Indy 500
September - Great Apple Crunch
This September, the cafeteria will be celebrating the Great Apple Crunch - a regional promotion taking place across all the Great Lakes states! This collective crunch encourages healthy eating and supports farm to school and local food initiatives throughout the Midwest Region.
Students will have the opportunity to sample an array of local apple varieties and vote on their favorites! Students who bring lunch from home will also have the opportunity to sample and engage in educational activities.
Check out the activity sheet below to help guide your children in learning even more about apples at home!
October - Pumpkins
This October, the cafeteria will be celebrating Indiana Food Day. This year’s Indiana Food Day theme is focused on Pumpkins. Students will have the opportunity to sample our Pumpkin Energy Bites! Students who bring lunch from home will also have the opportunity to sample and engage in educational activities. Students will learn about the nutrients pumpkins can bring into their diet. These nutrients include fiber, vitamin A for regulating cell growth and immune support, the antioxidant beta-carotene, and potassium for balancing blood pressure and minerals. Don’t miss out on this GOURD time on October 29th!
Check out the activity sheet below to help guide your children in learning even more about pumpkins at home!
November - Spaghetti Squash
This November, the cafeteria will be roasting local Spaghetti Squash! All students will have the opportunity to sample the squash and engage in educational activities. Students will learn about the nutrients Spaghetti Squash can bring into their diet. These nutrients include fiber, vitamin A for regulating cell growth and immune support, the antioxidant beta-carotene, and potassium for balancing blood pressure and minerals. Explore the endless PASTA-bilities to enjoy Spaghetti Squash in Elementary cafeterias on November 21st!
Check out the activity sheet below to help guide your children in learning even more about Spaghetti Squash at home!
December - Pears
In honor of National Pear Month in December, the cafeteria will be sampling Cinnamon Cranberry Baked Pears! Try this PEAR-fect combination on Dec 19th! All students will have the opportunity to sample and engage in educational activities. Pears are among the most cultivated and most popular fruits in the world, and not just because they’re delicious. This humble little fruit supports a healthy heart and an active lifestyle.
February - National Heart Health Month
February is National Heart Health Month! The cafeteria is spreading the love by serving samples of Blood Oranges on February 14th! These seasonal delights can help promote heart health because they are high in phytochemicals, fiber, magnesium, folate, vitamin C, and potassium. These nutrients work together to help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and stroke.
Students may also participate in nutrition education activities during lunch to learn how to Eat Smart for a Healthy Heart. Click below to view link to additional resources and activites! What fun physical activities can you do as a family, and what healthy recipes can you create with your kids at home to instill lifelong healthy habits? View the calendar resource below to help you and your family Eat Smart & Move More this month!
March - National Nutrition Month & National School Breakfast Week
Noblesville Schools is celebrating National Nutrition Month throughout March, embracing the 2024 theme, "Food Connects Us." This year's focus highlights the powerful role food plays in bringing people together, from family dinners to cultural celebrations. Sharing a meal creates a sense of community, strengthens bonds, and fosters lasting memories. Noblesville Schools recognizes the vital connection between nutrition and student success, understanding that access to healthy school meals contributes to improved health and academic performance. With each meal served, we are committed to promoting nutritious food choices and educating students about the importance of a balanced diet for their overall well-being.
A HUGE Thank-You to all those who participated in our survey to help the cafeteria better connect with you and serve nutritious meals that you enjoy. By understanding your preferences, we can tailor school menus to better represent the needs of our school community. Click to view a summary of the Survey Results! You may also click to access the Recipe Submissions. Enjoy!
DID YOU KNOW...Eating school breakfast connects students to better health by providing essential nutrients that fuel their bodies and minds. This, in turn, fuels better academic performance by improving concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function, leading to increased learning potential and classroom success.
As part of National Nutrition Month, we will also be celebrating National School Breakfast Week in late March. Noblesville Schools is committed to ensuring all students have access to a healthy breakfast, setting them up for success in the classroom and beyond.
To learn more about National Nutrition Month and the connection between food preferences, health, and school meals, please visit the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics website & the School Nutrition Association website.
Follow the links to our Nutrition Education page and Nutrition & Fitness page for resources on how Food Connects Us to a healthy lifestyle.
April - Asparagus for Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day by nourishing your body with plant-based foods! A plant-based diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, offers numerous health benefits. It's linked to a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and obestiy. These diets are typically lower in saturated fat and cholesterol while being higher in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation and improve overall health. Additionally, plant-based eating can be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
We will be celebtrating Earth Day in the elementary cafeterias on Friday, April 25! Students will have the opportunity to try roasted asparagus, a vegetable that looks like a "mini tree." Check out the links below to learn more about asparagus!
- Asparagus Activity Sheet
- Virtual Asparagus Farm Visit - Meet Tom and Margaret Wise the farmers and owners of Wise Farms near Columbia City, Indiana to learn about how they grow asparagus!
May - Milk for the Indy 500
“Winners Drink Milk” is considered one of the most iconic phrases and traditions in Indiana and all of sports. The tradition started at the Indianapolis 500® when driver Louis Meyer requested buttermilk to quench his thirst after the 1936 race. The Drink of Milk has since evolved from a thirst satisfying beverage to a ceremonial hand-off with an Indiana dairy farmer giving the iconic, glass bottle of milk to the winner.
Not only does milk quench thirst, but it also helps provide essential nutrition. Just like Indy 500 cars need fuel to race super fast and perform at peak, your body needs to be fueled with nutrients to help you grow strong and perform at your best! One serving of milk contains so many essential nutrients - 13 to be exact! - that your body needs to maintain optimal health. So this month, celebrate the Indy 500 festivites with a cold, nourishing glass of milk!
In the cafeteria, Elementary students will engage in several activities promoting milk nutrition and Indiana dairy farmers. Below are some resources to learn more!
