Back-to-School Menus 🚌 5 Ways to Add Whole Grain-Rich Foods

USDA Food and Nutrition Service sent this bulletin at 08/12/2021 02:01 PM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

5 Ways to Add Whole Grain-Rich Foods to Your Back-to-School Menus

1. Make Whole Grains a Food Education Experience

Promote local whole-grain menu offerings with educational activities and visits with local farmers. Use the Whole World of Whole Grains section of the Team Nutrition Popular Events Idea Booklet to find ways to introduce students to a variety of whole grains as you add them to your school menus. Read more about Integrating Local Foods into Child Nutrition Programs.

2. Use Whole Grains from USDA Foods

The USDA Foods in Schools Program has many whole grain-rich items for school meals. The frozen whole grain-rich tortillas make great grab n’ go sandwich wraps. Be sure to thaw the tortillas completely to prevent breaking when assembling the wraps. Try them to make this popular Roasted Fish Crispy Slaw Wrap recipe. See the full list of USDA Foods Available for School Year 2021-2022.

3. Try New Whole Grain-Rich Products

Consider adding a new whole grain-rich food to your menu, based on feedback from students. Use the Exhibit A Grains Tool in the Food Buying Guide to determine the grains contribution of the new item and how much to serve to meet meal pattern requirements. Learn more by watching the How to Maximize the Exhibit A Grains Tool! training video (now available with captioning in Spanish).

4. Develop New Recipes with Local Whole Grains

Montana’s Office of Public Instruction is developing a recipe featuring Montana-grown barley as part of a Fiscal Year 2021 Team Nutrition Training Grant. They held a statewide recipe contest and the Bison and Barley Soup recipe was a clear winner. The recipe was taste tested with students, receiving high approval rates, and will be standardized for school meals soon!

5. Start the Day with Whole Grains

Add variety to your breakfast meal service with different whole grain-rich options. Feature items made with oats like Fruity Oatmeal and Oatmeal Muffin Squares. Switch it up with breads made with whole-wheat flour like these Baking Powder Biscuits and Pancakes. Don’t forget to try some whole grain-rich tortillas, which are used in this Breakfast Burrito recipe!

Do you have a success story to share? Share it on Twitter and tag @TeamNutrition.

Questions?
Contact Us

STAY CONNECTED:

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe All | Subscriber Help