Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students can enjoy an array of flavors as School Nutrition Services rolls out a featured menu for National School Lunch Week Oct. 13-17. Meals will reflect the week’s theme, Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport, allowing students to educate their palates with dishes that are not only delicious, but are made with healthy ingredients at an affordable price.

“We are the largest restaurant business in Charlotte-Mecklenburg,” said Ashley Lovetere, CMS registered dietician and menu specialist. “We are giving students an opportunity to try new cuisines and new flavors, paired with some favorite items we typically serve. We develop recipes that we think students would really enjoy and are very conscious of nutrition as a whole to help the growth in our students.” 

Annually, CMS serves 12.5 million lunches – along with 6.1 million breakfasts, 700,000 after-school snacks and 200,000 suppers.

Lovetere said school meals include fruits and vegetables, whole grains and milk, and meet federal nutrition standards limiting fat, calories and sodium. 

Families also see a tremendous value when their students purchase school meals, Lovetere said. Eating out for lunch can average around $11, whereas a school lunch costs about $3 or less. Packed lunches from home also tend to cost more at around $6.

National School Lunch Week has promoted the importance of healthy school lunches for students since 1962. Research shows that students get their healthiest meals at school; nutritious meals enhance a child’s health and well-being, help boost academic performance and also support American agriculture.

Below is the menu for National School Lunch Week. To see all school menus, go to https://cms.nutrislice.com/menus-eula.

Monday, Oct. 13

• Chicken Mac Bowl, Cucumbers with Tajin, Hot Spiced Apples

Tuesday, Oct. 14

• K-8 schools: Chicken Enchilada Empanada, Mexican Rice, Plantains, Black Beans
• Traditional middle & high schools: Beef Empanada, Mexican Rice, Plantains, Black Beans

Wednesday, Oct. 15

• K-8 schools: Cherry Blossom Chicken, Carolina Gold Rice, Steamed Carrots
• Traditional middle & high schools: Makhni Butter Chicken, Carolina Gold Rice, Steamed Carrots

Thursday, Oct. 16

• K-8 schools: BBQ Leg & Thigh, Onion Rings, Baby Carrots & Ranch
• Traditional middle & high schools: Korean BBQ Wings, Onion Rings, Baked Beans, Baby Carrots & Ranch

Friday, Oct. 17

• Penne Alfredo, Garlic Knot, Steamed Broccoli