SANDY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Friday the kids had the say! Students from across the state had a very special invitation to taste test and pick out next year's school lunch menu.
When you talk to a 10-year-old about school lunch, they have some classic favorites.
Ogden fourth grader Logan Shobe said, "I like pizza, I like spaghetti and pasta."
Megan Lawrence, also from Ogden, loves "Mashed potatoes and gravy and other stuff like that."
And Mayleen Murillom goes with the classics, "Pizza and hot dogs."
On Friday, the same kids had a plethora of different possibilities. They were at the UCARE Food Fair making the decisions on what to eat next year for their school lunch.
Sebasthian Varas is on the UCARE board and is the Nutrition Specialist for Canyons School District, he explained: "The students have a very powerful mission to pick out what's on the menu next year."
The feedback from the possibilities, was very positive.
Logan said, "I liked the meatball, the grilled bake, the smoked turkey. I really liked them all."
Mayleen agreed, "They are all really good!"
And what the kids say, will really make the difference.
Varas said, "If they don't like it we will not go with that item."
This taste testing is hosted by UCARE. A food purchasing co-op made up of 15 Utah school districts. They get together for mass purchasing power, getting healthy and cost effective food.
As the tiny judges vote on their winners, they feel the pressure. There's a lot riding on their decisions.
Megan said, "I'm scared to make the right choice!"
Mayleen agreed, "You never know what they are going to pick."
The votes from the students today will be tallied and used to make the decisions to outline the menus for elementary schools next year.
