Menu makeover: Locally sourced, globally inspired meals for students

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi’s public schools serve up to 100,000 meals a day. Starting this year, each of these meals will incorporate local ingredients with globally inspired recipes.

Some featured Hawaiʻi-grown ingredients include ʻulu (breadfruit), kalo (taro), ʻuala (sweet potato), as well as beef, pork and seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Check out the new menu items for breakfast, lunch and sides:

Breakfast:

• Local ʻuala (sweet potato) yogurt bowl made with dragon fruit.
• Mini blueberry pancakes.
• Local ‘ulu (breadfruit) banana bread.
• Scratch-made pumpkin bread.
• Scrambled eggs with baby baker potatoes.
• Blueberry bagel.
• Ham and cheese croissant.
• Fiesta empanada with beans and vegetables.
• Guava pastry with boiled egg.
• New cereals options: Blueberry Chex, Cocoa Puffs and Honey Bunches of Oats.

Lunch:

• Korean beef bowl made with local ground beef.
• Hamburger curry or stew with local ‘ulu (breadfruit) and kalo (taro).
• Scratch-made chicken adobo.
• Vegan “plant-powered” bites.
• Grilled chicken pasta florentine.
• Orange chicken.
• Sweet and sour meatballs.
• Spicy “kicken” patty sandwich (plant-based alternative to the chicken patty).
• New burrito options: Chile relleno, pollo verde or vegan veggie crisp-up taco.
• Chicken noodle stir-fry.
• Lasagna roll up.
• Veggie pizza.
• Scratch-made mac and cheese served with chicken tenders.
• To-go entree salad options: Chinese chicken salad, protein snack box, chicken caesar salad, chef’s salad, and taco salad.

Sides:

• Local ʻuala mash made from scratch or locally sliced sweet potatoes.
• Scratch-made asian-style coleslaw with local cabbage.
• Sour raisins (watermelon, blueberry and tropical flavors).
• Mandarin oranges.
• Strawberries and cream sidekicks (non-dairy ice cake).
• Sunbelievable sidekicks (ice cake made with vegetable juice).
• Dried apple chips (blueberry or strawberry flavors.

To find out more about what’s on the menu for your school, it is recommended to check the school’s cafeteria menu to see what new options are available.

Incorporating these meals into students’ diets, with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education farm-to-school initiative, is the perfect recipe for improving students’ health and local agriculture.