In an effort to increase healthy eating, the Nutrition Department plans to add more homemade food by next fall.

“Although our goal is (to offer) healthy items, our ultimate goal is healthy and delicious items,” cafeteria worker Amy Norman said.

The cafeteria has to modify the foods to meet national nutrition laws.

“Recently, we have been working on new recipes for scratch cooking that are within the guidelines so we can go back to better quality food without all the preservatives,” she said.

Norman said that she wants students to eat school lunches.

“Student Nutrition has always tried to serve the students what they would like to eat,” Norman said. “We don’t want to serve food that they will not eat.”

Norman said that throughout the years, students wanted fresher fruits and vegetables.

“This allows us to offer these items and know that the students will eat and enjoy them,” she said.

Sophomore Natalia Lizcano said that she is looking forward to the new menu.

“It’s good that they (will) serve healthier food because it reduces obesity and provides required nutrition,” she said.

Vegetables are now being served at the elementary schools.

“If we can introduce new (options) to the younger kids then we are hoping they will go home and ask their parents to try it,” Norman said. “We can get students making better food choices at a young age (so) it will grow with them.”

One change already in place for high school is the new homemade rolls.

“The rest of the grades will (try them) next school year,” Norman said.

Another change in the cafeteria involves rearranging the lunch lines. Norman said the layout was changed to keep food fresh.

“We are experimenting with different layouts to make the most sense for our customers,” Norman said.

Junior Ashley Koch noticed a difference.

“It (was) warm and actually taste(d) like pasta,” she said.

To help students make choices, the “Nutrislice” App can be downloaded to access the breakfast and lunch menus.

“You will see pictures, nutrition information and a description of items,” Norman said. “This will be important to have as we start rolling out new items that (students) may have questions about.”