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Minnetonka nutrition services reports higher lunch participation, new menus and staffing gains
Summary
The district's nutrition services reported staffing at nearly 90% of full strength, increases in lunch participation across all levels, and menu innovations including empanadas, meatless entre9es and chicken wings. Staff said USDA reimbursements are secured for September and October but will follow up on any impact from a federal shutdown beyond.
Minnetonka Public Schools' nutrition services staff on Oct. 23 briefed the board on staffing, participation and menu changes that the department said have increased student engagement with school meals.
Kristen Turnblad, director of nutrition services, told the board her team is staffed at about 90% (56 of 62 positions filled) after hiring 12 new staff over the summer. Turnblad said the department ran hands-on training for staff this year (Jeopardy and Plinko activities) and produced a managers'manual to improve onsite autonomy.
"Our full staff is considered 62 members in nutrition services. We are currently as of today at 56 staff. We are almost at 90% fully staffed," Turnblad said.
Participation for lunch increased compared with last year: elementary lunch participation rose by 3%, middle school by 1% and high school by 5%, Turnblad said. Breakfast participation decreased slightly. The department introduced new menu items districtwide this year and plans empanadas for November (chicken enchilada, cheeseburger and a cheese empanada as a meatless option). A new meatless vendor supplies plant-based patties and nuggets; a yogurt-parfait bento and chicken-wing service were also piloted. Turnblad said one chicken-wing service generated about 2,000 servings at the high school.
Turnblad said the nutrition team increased marketing and parent communications (Instagram, newsletter, Nutrislice menu app) and launched the Tonka Fresh food truck. She also described student tasting groups and plans for student-led menu testing and advisory meetings.
Board members asked whether a federal government shutdown would affect meal funding. Turnblad said USDA reimbursements are secured for September and October; beyond that she said she would provide an update once more information was available.
The presentation included discussion of reduced meal waste under "offer versus serve" meal service rules and staff'led sampling programs to involve students in menu development.
