BIXBY, Okla. — This year, Bixby Public Schools has a district chef for the first time. She's creating a new menu to get students eating healthier.
"I eat the bell peppers every day and I also like the grapes. They also have these little fruit cups now... those are the best, hands down," high school junior Braden Weaver said.
After students asked for more variety, the district brought in a chef. She's increasing options by bringing in fresh ingredients, and teaching cooks different ways to season.
"A lot of people eat healthier here now and I like the food a lot better. The cafeteria ladies are honestly the best ladies I've been with. Ever since they've been here there's so much better food," Weaver said.
The goal is more fresh, homemade meals using less boxed and pre-packaged foods. Chef Julie Byers tells 2 Works for You she's also creating relationships with students to meet the need.
"I'm going to every table, every day and asking them "How's the food? Do you like it? Do you hate it?" If they say they don't like it we're going to look into different options and different things to make for them. So I really want their feedback of what they like," she said.
From here Byers will train cooks across the district, creating better, healthier options on every campus.
"We have picky students. We know that they're not going to like everything. We're trying to introduce them to those vegetables and those fruits that the USDA requires us make sure that they eat and put on their plate," director of child nutrition Helen Hurst said.
Those additional trainings will start in the spring.
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