National School Lunch Week (NAPSA)— sf School lunches We have come a long way. Students today have sophisticated palates, and foodservice operators have to be even more adept at enticing them to eat—and eat well—in order to fuel their minds ARAMARK’ s nutrition mascot “Spike” teaches the for learning. benefits of healthy eating and exercise to over National School 70,000 children each year. (Photo courtesy ARAMARK.) Lunch Week runs from October The program is extremely suc13-17, and “Wild About School cessful at school districts across Lunch”is this year’s theme. Started the country, including Houston; in 1963 by a proclamation from Detroit; Duval County, Florida; President John F. Kennedy, the pro- Culver City, California; and Provigram raises awareness of and gar- dence, Rhode Island. ners support for the role foodservice One World Caf was selected and nutrition programsplay in the as a 2003 first place winner in lives ofAmerican school children. Restaurant Hospitality magaBut school cafeterias have seen zine’s Best Kids Menu in Amertremendous changessince the 1960s. ica competition. These days, kids are lining up for To educate younger children on chipotle barbeque chicken wraps, making the right food choices, fruit and yogurt parfaits and Cobb ARAMARK Calls on the help of salad shakers, in addition to chicken Spike”, the company’s nutrition sandwiches andpizza. “mascot” who encourages kids to These are just a few of the “Eat Right!” and exercise through menu items from One World live interactive shows to over Caf, a school foodservice pro- 70,000 children a year, monthly gram designed by ARAMARK, a giveaways to over 500,000 stufoodservice provider at more than dents, and teacher lesson plans. 4,000 public and private schools Spike is so popular that he has across the United States. “gone Hollywood”—hestars in his One World Caf combines kid- own video series. tested recipes with colorful graphSpike will “go wild” to get in ics and fun promotions so stu- the spirit for National School dents enjoy fresh and nutritious Lunch Week. Safari clothes and food in an exciting, colorful setting gear will take the place of his morelike the places they eat out- usual soccer uniform as he venside of school. tures out in search of new wild “Today’s students are extremely food offerings. savvy consumers,” said Jeff Wheatley, Initiatives such as One World President, ARAMARK School Support Caf and Spike help increasestuServices. “To meet their needs, we’ve dent participation in school meals raised the level on food offerings and promote nutrition education while setting the stage with the ‘wow so young minds are properly factor through One World Caf.” fueled for learning. 2
