September 2008,

Parents are becoming increasingly aware of the unhealthy food options available in our nation’s schools. School nutrition is a growing issue, taken up by parents, grassroots organizations, and Congress.

TiZA is leading a lunchroom initiative in an effort to get children excited about nutrition.  Instead of eliminating kids’ favorite foods, the school uses creative and healthy recipes to create food options kids will enjoy. 

Studies have shown that what students eat affects their everyday activities, including the way they perform in class.  “It’s important for our students to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Magdy Rabeaa, assistant campus director at the Inver Grove Heights campus. “We are not only teaching them how to be healthy, but allowing them to practice a healthy lifestyle with the variety of nutritious options we offer in the lunchroom.” 

With its new school menu, TiZA will give students the option to enjoy kid-approved favorites like pizza, but instead of processed ingredients, TiZA’s pizza is made with pita bread and real cheese.

“Much of the food is made from scratch,” said Rabeaa. “And during the summer, we have a school garden where students participate in planting vegetables. They get to enjoy some of the food from that garden and learn about the benefits of healthy eating.”

Every day, students also have the option to load up on fruit and vegetables at a salad bar that includes mixed greens, spinach, celery, baby carrots, and a variety of fresh fruit.

Parents are thrilled about the healthy lunch options at TiZA, and the students are praising their new menu, too.  When asked what they like about TiZA lunches, students’ responses included: “They cook a lot of healthy food and it’s yummy!” (3rd grade), and “I love the pizza, because it tastes good!” (5th Grade).

The school lunch menu is created by TiZA’s Wellness Committee, which is comprised of teachers, parents, students, and staff.  The Wellness Committee is also responsible for creating health-conscious content for TiZA’s monthly newsletter, “Healthy Kids Care!”