This school year has been different in many ways — but one thing that has not changed is American Dairy Association North East’s commitment to getting more dairy on school meal menus, providing solutions to help increase meal participation and helping school nutrition directors keep students excited about school meals. One way we’re accomplishing these things is by hosting contests for school nutrition directors.
Starting January 7, school nutrition directors will have an opportunity to participate in American Dairy Association North East’s Hot Chocolate Milk program for a chance to win a hot chocolate milk dispenser to help make distributing hot chocolate milk go smoothly. Hot Chocolate Milk is a wildly popular program with students that simply serves normal school chocolate milk heated up! This year, many students are picking meals up and walking or taking public transportation home, so this easy to-go item is a great add-on.
Chocolate milk is an excellent way to get milk’s 9 essential nutrients, especially for older kids and teens who are more conscious of their image. A hot chocolate milk to-go cup has a cool factor -students crave.
If you’re a school nutrition director, click here to learn more about the program and enter the contest!
Earlier this fall, schools submitted photos of their favorite dairy-centered school menu items to win a barrel cooler or cooler bag for keeping milk cold. Winners included a Fiesta Parfait from Passaic County Technical Institute in New Jersey; a Buffalo Chicken Dip from Penn Trafford School District in Pennsylvania; and a Pumpkin Smoothie from Baldwinsville Community School District in New York. Get the winning recipes here.
Milk, cheese and yogurt are still popular in the school cafeteria — wherever it may be! Find out more about the resources we have available for school nutrition staff here.