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Chesterfield parents to offer input on healthier lunch options

Posted at 8:35 AM, Mar 27, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-27 08:39:18-04

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va (WTVR) -- A big change could be coming to the lunch menu in Chesterfield County. Tonight students, parents and staff will get the chance to weigh in and sample some new menu items. One of two food fairs will take place later this evening.

Healthier options the district plans to put on the menu in schools will be served. Everything from sweet and sour broccoli, Asian chicken tacos, whole grain cookies and reduced sodium popcorn will be available for a taste-test.

At the food fair students, parents and staff will sample the food and fill out an evaluation form to offer their input. The food fair will also allow parents to learn more about what's in the packed lunches they may send their kids to school with daily.

For those parents unable to attend the food fair, there is still a way to keep track of what their children are eating and the allergens that may be in the food, with an app that can be downloaded.

"We are also launching our Nutri-slice program which parents can go on and interact with a computer program, they can get it on their Smartphone or their Android," Sandra Stokes with Chesterfield County School's Food and Nutrition Services said. "They can actually hover over those different foods and find out the nutritional breakdown of those foods."

Two sessions will take place at the food fair today, from 6 pm - 7 pm and again from 7 pm - 8 pm at Clover Hill High School. The second food fair is set to take place on Wednesday, April 2, also 6 pm - 7 pm with the final session running from 7 pm - 8 pm. Registration was required, but the nearly 800 available slots have already been reserved.