$100,000 Cafeteria Makeover Encourages Healthier Food Choices

Union City, NJ - Stanley Sanger, Superintendent of the Union City School District, joined the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council and keynote speaker, Felicia Stoler, host of TLC's (The Learning Channel) "Honey We're Killing the Kids" reality show to unveil the newly restyled cafeteria at Union Hill High School in Union City this past Wednesday.

The $100,000 cafeteria restyle is a pilot program sponsored by the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council to improve the cafeteria environment and promote healthy food choices specifically nutrient-rich dairy, with improved product availability, promotion, education and communication about the health benefits of consuming three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt each day, as recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. "The ultimate goal of the program is getting students to eat healthier foods and to drink more milk," said Andrea Thompson, Vice President of School Marketing for the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council.

Over the summer, ISI America, an interior systems design firm specializing in restaurant redesign, put their expertise to the educational market. The cafeteria at Union Hill High School received a total makeover from the ground up including a new floor, a new paint décor, healthy food signage and all new furniture including booth seating. "Here at Union Hill, we focused on having a positive environment for all patrons to relax and dine in comfort. We promote the idea that the students have the option to make good decisions, not only in what they choose to eat but also in how they choose to act and treat each other. A good design should create a feeling of well-being and pride within the students which could then, unconsciously, spread to other areas of their lives," said Kaitlyn Shields, ISI Interior Designer

The makeover didn't stop with the décor. The Union City School District was also one of the first districts in the Metro area to offer students the New Look of School Milk – milk in kid-appealing plastic, re-sealable containers available in multiple flavors from Farmland Dairies of Wallington, NJ. According to Thompson, "research shows kids drink up to 37 percent more milk at school when it's offered in plastic re-sealable bottles and in various flavors."

Today, more than 7,200 schools across the country – serving over 4.5 million students – have adopted milk in plastic, re-sealable containers. As schools continue to develop their wellness policies, more are choosing to serve the updated milk product. According to Farmland Dairies, many other NJ school districts have switched from cartons to plastic this year including Mt. Olive, Morristown, Randolph, East Brunswick, Sayreville, and Toms River. "Since introducing the ‘New Look of School Milk' in our school, we have seen a definite increase in consumption," says Sue Prusko, Food Service Coordinator for the Union City Board of Education.

Dave Wilcomb, Principal of Union Hill High School said, "We're honored to be one of seven schools nationwide chosen for the Ultimate School Restyle. The students are more relaxed and are thoroughly enjoying their new cafeteria. The teachers are joining the students for lunch rather than congregating in the teachers' lounge. And the student and teacher reactions alike are overwhelmingly positive."

Union Hill was chosen due to their success with other school wellness initiatives, including their willingness to adopt the New Look of School Milk, and their efforts in expanding breakfast programs throughout the district, according to Thompson. "The restyle works in conjunction with their school wellness policy to help ensure that children learn practical, life-long lessons about the balance of good nutrition and physical activity."

SOURCE: American Dairy Association