Aiming to be healthy, affordable and tasty

Consider a pepper steak wrap with ranch dressing and a side of grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes. In the mood for comfort food? There’s a daily selection of homemade pizzas, creative burgers and “snack wraps.” Or take a lighter route with a hearty split pea soup or a refreshing chef salad. 
   
These main dishes with a choice of sides and a drink: only $2.25.
   
For those ready to leave their office or home to find this food establishment, sit back down. That is because this affordable variety is only available to students in the East Meadow School District as part of its lunch program.

   
However, faculty members do have a chance to get in on the party if they choose to, for only $3 a meal.
  
Barbara Stabile, who represents the food vendor, Aramark, and is the district’s food service director, has already launched several new initiatives since she arrived to East Meadow this summer.
   
“I think the program needed a little facelift,” she said.
   
Stabile’s experience spans decades in the food and health care industry. She arrived to East Meadow after three years as the Aramark food director in the Center and East Moriches school districts in Suffolk County.
   
This fall, Stabile introduced the Boar’s Head “Deli Line” at the high schools, which offers students an additional option to the daily lunch offerings. Though it’s considered a “premium ala carte” item, and costs $4, students can build their own sandwich from an array of fresh Boar’s Head meats, cheeses and toppings.
   
“This has been a very popular choice for them,” Stabile said.”
   
There are also non-premium sandwiches and wraps for the regular $2.25. There is also panini press available for all sandwiches.
   
Another initiative in the works is an nutritional education program for elementary schools. Ace, a popular Aramark mascot, will make appearances at the elementary schools to promote healthy snacks.
   
“The education behind it is invaluable, and it really hits home with the kids,” Stabile said.
   
There is a concerted effort to offer healthy options while maintaining taste and quality. According to Stabile, the cooks apply healthy preparation methods and ingredients to their meals. Items are typically low fat, low sodium. Cooks incorporate the use of whole wheat and whole grains; lean meats; and canola cooking oil without the trans fat.
  
Most meals are cooked from scratch by the highly trained and experienced kitchen staff, including the pizza and the soups. The hope is that students decide to eat-in more, rather than go out to fast food spots in town.
   
“Even though we try to mimic some of the [outside] foods, we don’t mimic the ingredients,’ she said.
  
Sodas and high-sugar beverages are not available to students. Instead students can choose from a wide selection of milks and juices, including those manufactured by Nantucket and Snapple.
  
Dessert is also guilt-free —  already a hit at most schools are low-fat frozen yogurt and fruit slushies.
   
All district schools also offer breakfast for that important energy boost for the day. Egg sandwiches, cereals and hot chocolate are popular items, Stabile said.
  
So far, students have been receptive to the new additions to the lunch program. Statistics already reflect an 8 percent increase in student participation compared to last fall.
  
For monthly lunch menus at both the primary and secondary levels, visit the district’s Web site at www.eastmeadow.k12.ny.us.

Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.