OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognized for
helping students connect what they eat with how they feel in a fun
and engaging way, Food Management magazine has named
Chartwells K12's "Mood Boost" program the Best Management Company
Concept of 2020. This award, given annually to the best concepts in
foodservice across the country, highlights the most innovative and
creative initiatives developed by onsite dining operators.
"The power of Mood Boost is transforming school cafeterias
across the country into happier and healthier places," said
Belinda Oakley, CEO, Chartwells K12.
"While we can see the program is inspiring students to make food
choices that can help them be more confident, alert, smart,
happy, strong and calm, winning Food Management magazine's Best
Management Company Concept award only reinforces our commitment to
bring fun food discovery and engaging nutrition education programs
to the schools and communities we serve."
Understanding the issue of mental health is top of mind for
school superintendents and parents, Chartwells K12 set out to
address the issue with a new concept that's breaking grounds in
nutrition education and student engagement. Mood Boost, launched in
Fall 2019, was designed to help K12 students make the connection
between what they eat and how they feel. With a combination of
engaging characters and cafeteria decor, on-trend recipes focused
on mood-boosting foods and a variety of fun give-aways, Mood Boost
is far more than an education program or an effort to get kids to
eat new foods. Highlights include:
- The "Moodies", a series of six fun and engaging
characters to help younger students recognize their different
moods: Alert, Calm, Confident, Happy, Smart, and Strong.
- Recipes kids love that prominently feature at least
one significant ingredient per mood. For example, Raspberries with
Chocolate and Basil (Alert);
Broccoli Salad with Raisins (Calm); Strawberry Avocado Smoothie
(Confident); Citrus Chickpea Salad (Happy); Red Kidney Bean Hummus
(Smart); and Portuguese Style Pork Bowl (Strong).
- Giveaways including collectible trading cards that
feature the Moodies, information about key ingredients supporting
each mood and recipes kids and families can make at home.
Highlights and a look at in-school tasting events are featured
in this video: https://vimeo.com/445371435/6923e2934a
Since 1998, Food Management has sponsored the Best
Concepts program with the goal of recognizing and celebrating the
best practices and the most innovative thinking in onsite
foodservice. With awards given in a variety of categories including
Best Management Company Concept, Best Wellness Initiative, Best
Sustainability Initiative, and more, nominations are evaluated by
an editorial jury, judging them on a variety of factors ranging
from their creativity and their impact on a given program, to their
effectiveness in achieving targeted results.
Mood Boost is one of the many ways Chartwells is serving up
happy and healthy inside and outside the cafeteria. Since schools
closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chartwells associates
have served more than 100 million meals to students, keeping
mealtime a bright spot in a student's day.
About Chartwells K12
Chartwells K12's goal is to make
sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they
came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom
dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,100 schools,
ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private
schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and
operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness,
and sustainability talent. For more information,
visit www.ChartwellsK12.com.
Media Contact
Lisa
Claybon
VP of Communications
lisa.claybon@compass-usa.com
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SOURCE Chartwells K12