Sodexo previews 'Crave' high-school menu and introduces new district chef

Sodexo representatives presented a multi-tiered school-meals plan to the Monroe Public Schools Board, previewing menu items across elementary, middle and high-school programs and introducing the districtchef. "So I think to start off with, we do have, some menu items available to taste test," said Joe Urie of Sodexo, who led the presentation and encouraged board members to sample dishes while the overview continued.

Urie described Bright Bites for elementary schools, Foodie for middle schools, and a new high-school brand called Crave, scheduled for rollout next school year. The presentation included a short video of student reactions and menu samples such as pot-sticker dumplings with vegetable lo mein, a tandoori chicken flatbread bowl and a Mediterranean roasted-vegetable wrap. Sodexo emphasized greater use of fresh, whole-muscle proteins and local produce on a map of Michigan suppliers.

New general manager Eric Buehner, introduced by Sodexo staff, told the board he has spent decades in contract dining and said his goal is to increase student participation by improving visibility and presentation of meals. "I wanna feed as many kids as we can every day," he said. Presenters also outlined planned investments in service-line and cooking equipment that they said make scratch-cooked items feasible within meal-period time constraints.

Board members and staff raised student preferences and operational questions: several noted pizza remains a top student choice and that lunch durations can limit access to choices. Sodexo said menu choices can be customized by building, and staff discussed marketing (digital signage and display plates) and scheduling adjustments to improve participation and reduce lines. The district will receive the presentation materials and a map of local suppliers for follow-up.