PORTLAND, Ore. – School districts across the country are serving an unprecedented amount of fruits and vegetables in school lunches and breakfasts, and USA Pears is recognizing districts who have stepped up to put pears on students’ plates. USA Pears has named San Diego Unified School District, School District of Pickens County (South Carolina), and School District of New Berlin (Wisconsin) School Foodservice All-Stars for the 2014-15 season.
These districts have been chosen for frequently featuring pears on the menu, educating students and staff about pear ripening and varieties, and serving pears in fun and appealing ways. The districts serve pears in a variety of ways, including sliced and whole on the salad bar, alternating preparation to excite students and introduce them to new varieties. Lisa Hayes, Foodservice Manager at School District of Pickens County, serves students “pear bow ties,” a perennial favorite. “Our students love the Bartlett, especially when we make bow ties,” she said. “We serve two ripe pear halves in a boat with whipped cream and a cherry in honor of our principal, who wears bow ties every day.”
The three districts serve a combined 213 schools, with more than 148,000 students. USA Pears is promoting the 2014-15 All-Stars at the School Nutrition Association Annual National Conference this week in Boston, July 14-16. This is the second year of the All-Stars program. In 2013-14, Seattle Public Schools, Bakersfield City School District, and Denver Public Schools were named USA Pears School Foodservice All-Stars.
“We’re pleased to highlight school districts that are taking a creative approach to serving healthier meals in their cafeterias,” said Kevin Moffitt, President and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest. “By acknowledging districts that excel at serving pears, we hope to encourage others to do the same, providing students with a variety of fresh and appealing produce.”
About Pear Bureau Northwest and USA Pears
Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.
Source: Pear Bureau Northwest and USA Pears