Nutrition:
Resources for Schools
Return to Resources for Schools
Resources to Make
Menu Planning a Snap
Great Trays workshops provide a number of tools that offer a fresh approach to menu planning.
Sample Cycle Menu
provides ideas and inspiration as you work to align your menu with the new USDA rule on school meal programs.
Characteristics of Your School/District
allows for an objective assessment of the food service operation, including food costs, staffing, food availability, preparation methods, and kitchen design.
- Characteristics of Your School/Districts (PDF: 42KB/1 page)
Simple Scratch Recipes
have been tested in Minnesota cafeterias for student acceptability, cost and ease of preparation. From Turkey Sloppy Joes to a Spring Salad Mix, any school can add variety, good nutrition and great taste by adding one or more of these recipes.
- Simple Scratch Recipes (PDF: 701KB/54 pages)
Farm to School Assessment Tool
helps schools determine if their program is starting up, cruising or breaking barriers and identifies ideas for greater involvement in Farm to School.
- Farm to School Assessment Tool (PDF: 1,127KB/1 page)
Minnesota-Grown Farmer Database
includes growers and ranchers who sell their products to school districts and other large institutions. Users have access to information about a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, cheeses and honey offered in large quantities to schools around the state.
- Minnesota-Grown Farmer Database (Web Link)
The University of Minnesota’s Farm to School Toolkit
offers resources and support to understand the foods, farmers and processes involved in serving locally grown foods at school.
Results
from the first two years of Great Trays
Annual Report
(PDF 131MB/ 6 pages)
What's New
-
Great Trays Skills for Excellence (PDF 968 KB/21 pgs) A new tool for school nutrition professionals in Minnesota that helps to inventory workforce skills and identify existing curriculums for continuing staff education.
- Health In My Hometown
MDH and thirteen communities gave cameras to youth to document what helps them or holds them back from being healthy.
