The Whole Carrot is a monthly e-newsletter for friends, supporters, and partners of Minneapolis Public Schools Culinary and Wellness Services brought to you by the Student Wellness team of MPS Culinary and Wellness Services--which includes Farm to School, School Gardens, Nutrition Education, Safe Routes to School, and other active living efforts. It contains wellness news, events, opportunities and more. Enjoy!
Our Position on the USDA School Meals Final Rule
Minneapolis Public Schools Culinary & Wellness Services (MPS CWS) is committed to providing all MPS students access to quality food and active living. Quality food and active living are essential for students to achieve their full academic potential, attain full physical and mental development, and improve lifelong health and well-being.
MPS CWS will not deviate from our True Food philosophy. We regret the harmful rollbacks included in the recent USDA School Meals Final Rule that undermine the positive strides made by school districts and the food industry nationwide to reduce student consumption of sugar and sodium, while increasing intake and access of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
MPS CWS will continue its commitment to offer foods that are fresh, high quality and minimally processed. We will continue to only serve whole grain-rich items while introducing intact whole grains, only serve unflavored milk, and working toward a sodium standard level 2 in our foods by school year 20/21.
Since the transition back to scratch-cooking and the introduction of the Healthy Hungry Kids Act of 2010, we have had an increase of over 1.25 million breakfasts and lunches served from school year 2012/13 to 2017/18 under the National School Lunch Program.
Any deviation from standards and menu changes will continue to be reviewed and approved by the department menu committee.
Real Food - Real Farms - Real Flavor
Watch the KARE 11 Story
Bertrand Weber's goal was simple: Get rid of processed food and give way to whole foods. “I started thinking why can’t we just go back to real food..." See more.
Celebrate Winter Wellness Week
February 4 - February 8
Winter Wellness Week seeks to celebrate winter, build community, and increase social, emotional, and physical well being.
Feb 4: Monday focuses on warm welcomes and building an inclusive community through sharing and listening to each other's stories, ideas, and truth.
Feb 5: Tuesday reminds us that to enjoy winter--we must dress for it. You'll find us showing off our tall socks, fuzzy hats, and thick sweaters.
Feb 6: Wednesday is Winter Walk Day. We will join students and families across North America to celebrate winter, walking, community and fun. The True Food Taste Tests also start on this day. See below for more information and how to get involved in both of these events.
Feb 7:OnThursday, we listen to our school nurses who tell us hand washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection. We will pay attention to washing our hands for at least twenty (20) seconds per time. We will also celebrate Minnesota Thursday with a locally-sourced lunch. See the fantastic menu below.
Feb 8: Friday celebrates random acts of kindness. You may find us shoveling neighbors' sidewalks or doing other deeds that turn Minnesota ice into Minnesota nice.
The next True Food Taste Test is February 6-8, during Winter Wellness Week. Students and staff at participating elementary and middle schools will get to try a sample of our new SUNRISE BREAKFAST GRAIN--a warm and hearty blend of ancient grains and warm spices.
VOLUNTEER for the taste tests! We are looking for volunteers to help hand out samples during lunch at schools. Email Kate.Seybold@mpls.k12.mn.us to learn more!
On Winter Walk Day Minneapolis Public Schools will join students and families across across Minnesota, Canada, and other cold-weather states to celebrate winter, walking, community and fun. Schools can celebrate walking to school or walking during the school day. Anyone can organize an event for their school--parent, staff, green team. When you register, MPS Safe Routes to School will send you electronic resources, I Walked stickers, and a few surprises that will help make your event a success. Register now or contact Jennifer.Bordon@mpls.k12.mn.us with questions or for help planning your event.
Daikon radishes are long, slender vegetables commonly used throughout Asian cuisine. They have a crisp texture and mild, earthy flavor. Daikon radishes are a good source of fiber and vitamin C, especially when eaten raw. The white variety is most often found in grocery stores, but look for a purple variety on the MN Thursday menu in February! Want to try daikon radishes at home? Check out these easy recipe ideas:
A new kind of coleslaw: Enjoy shredded radish instead of cabbage in your next batch of homemade coleslaw. Try them in this Rainbow Slaw Salad recipe!
Roast ‘em! Add cubed daikon radishes to your next pot roast or pan of roasted vegetables.
Slow Cooked: Place daikon radishes in a slow cooker with carrots, onions, garlic, low-sodium seasonings, low-sodium vegetable broth, lean meat, and all your favorite vegetables. Turn on low and let the juices and flavors start mixing!
2019-2020 Farm to School Produce RFP
Know any farmers who may be interested in selling produce to MPS next year?
MPS Culinary & Wellness Services is seeking proposals from farms (and farm groups) to provide sustainably-grown produce to our school district’s Farm to School Program for the 2019-2020 school year. Any interested farms, farm cooperatives, food hubs, and aggregators are invited to complete the Farm to School Fresh Produce Request for Proposal (RFP).
Minneapolis Public Schools' three year action plan for food waste prevention is now available on our recently launched True Food, No Waste webpage!
MPS Culinary & Wellness Services is also proud to be featured in a Natural Resources Defense Council blog post this week, highlighting our food waste prevention initiative. We are thrilled to be launching this effort and will share our successes as it progresses. To read the blog, click here.
Feb 4-8: Winter Wellness Week
Feb 6: Winter Walk Day
Feb 6-8: True Food Taste Test
May 8: Walk/Bike to School Day, Let's Roll
May 6-10: Spring Wellness Week
SMART SNACKS MADE EASY
Need snacks for an event happening at school? There's no need to drive to the warehouse store. Parent groups and PTA's can order snacks directly from the school's food service coordinator. These snacks comply with Smart Snack standards required by Minneapolis Public School's Wellness Policy 6690.
