Nutritional Services Blog
Free Summer Meals for Kids!
The Summer Food Service Program is back with traditional, in-person, daily meal service at two city locations, as well as an exciting, NEW “rural” location that allows for weekly meal pickups. That means FREE meals for your children all summer long!
- Scottsdale Community College
- 9000 E. Chapparal Rd., Parking Lot G, Scottsdale
- Drive-through pickup of 7 days’ worth of breakfasts and lunches per child in a single pickup day
- Distributed every Wednesday from 6:45 - 10 a.m.
- Each Wednesday from June 4 through July 23
- City of Scottsdale – Civic Center Library
- 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale
- Free Lunch daily – 7 days a week!
- June 1 – August 2
- 12 - 1 p.m.
- Barker Branch Boys & Girls Club
- 2311 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale
- Free Breakfast and Lunch served Monday – Friday
- May 27 – August 1
- Breakfast: 8 - 9 a.m. / Lunch: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Any child aged 18 and younger may come to one of these sites during the dedicated time indicated above to receive a free meal. There is no need to complete meal applications, and children do not need to be enrolled in a Scottsdale Unified School District to participate.
Drive-through pickup for a week’s worth of meals per child does not require consumption on-site and is intended to bring the weekly meal pack home to prepare and serve.
Meals must be consumed on-site at the Civic Center Library and Boys & Girls Club Barker Branch.
Questions? Call us at SUSD Nutrition Services 480-484-6234.
School Lunch Hero Day – Friday!
Join us in giving a huge shoutout to our incredible Nutrition Services “Team Awesome” on School Lunch Hero Day Friday, May 2nd!
This amazing squad of superheroes prepares and serves nutritious school meals every day, fueling our students' success and helping them reach their full potential. It's no wonder they’ve earned the title of HERO!
Each year, Team Awesome serves approximately 1.8 million healthy meals, with an unwavering spirit of perseverance and kindness. From our dedicated Cafeteria and Warehouse teams to our incredible Nutrition Services office team ‒ you inspire us with your passion and commitment.
We hope you’ll take a moment to stop by and say THANK YOU to these outstanding ladies and gentlemen for a job incredibly well done.
TEAM AWESOME: You are an essential part of Elevating Excellence at SUSD, and we are so proud to serve beside you!
… And to our very own Hunger Hero, Nicole Barnes!
We are thrilled to share some incredible news: our amazing teammate, Nicole Barnes, Saguaro High School Café Manager, has been selected as one of just five Tyson K-12 Hunger Heroes across the nation!
Nicole’s unwavering dedication to our nutrition program earned her not one, not two, but eight heartfelt testimonials from both staff and students. Her impact on the Saguaro community is truly inspiring, and this recognition couldn’t be more deserved.
Nicole’s commitment to our students' health, well-being, and happiness shines through everything she does. We couldn’t be prouder of her and the meaningful connections she continues to build at Saguaro. Way to go, Nicole! You’re a true Hunger Hero!
Here is the Tyson news release we received:
“Nicole Barnes has made significant and comprehensive improvements to Saguaro High School's Breakfast and Lunch Program since becoming the Cafeteria Manager, greatly impacting the students' dining experience. She has introduced a greater variety of hot and cold meal choices, with over 20 different options available daily, catering to various dietary preferences including gluten-free and vegetarian choices. The addition of a salad bar, featuring a rotating selection of fruits and vegetables, has been particularly popular. Her responsiveness to student requests has led to the incorporation of extra items within nutritional guidelines, such as yogurt smoothies, and the posting of menus at the entrance to inform students of their options. As a result, participation in the lunch program has doubled, ensuring that more students are well-fed and satisfied.
To further enhance the dining experience, Ms. Barnes has introduced a "Flavor Station" with various spices and additional condiments to customize burgers and hot sandwiches and has extended breakfast hours to accommodate student athletes who practice early. Special treats like chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentine's Day add a festive touch. Her efforts have created a welcoming environment, with the cafeteria staff known for their friendliness and kindness, making students feel valued and cared for. Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the variety and quality of the food, and the improvements in the overall dining experience.
Overall, Nicole Barnes has transformed Saguaro's School Lunch Program, making it more appealing and enjoyable for students. Her redesign of the cafeteria layout has increased productivity and improved the flow of students during their short lunch period. The introduction of the salad bar has been a personal favorite, offering beautiful and healthy choices that reduce waste from individually packaged ingredients and dressings. Both students and staff have voiced their approval, leading to increased lunch revenues as more students take advantage of the healthy options. Student testimonials further highlight the positive impact, with many praising the variety and quality of the food, the friendly staff, and the overall improvements in the dining experience.”
Here are a few of the student submissions that were part Nicole’s Hunger Hero nomination:
- “I am an 11th grade football player; the Saguaro lunch program has positively impacted me by being able to refuel my body after workouts.”
- “I like the fruit and healthy bars that are available. Also, the milk options.”
- “I am a 10th grade football player and love the yogurt, fruit and granola bars. I wish we had more.”
- “I am a 10th grader: I like the sausage, egg and cheese croissants and breakfast quesadillas.”
Nicole Barnes's efforts have ensured that more students are well-fed and enjoying their meals, making a significant difference in their daily lives.
How inspiring, and what a great way to begin the wind down of another great year at SUSD! Congratulations to Nicole, the entire Saguaro Team that shows up and supports her every day, and to all of Team Awesome who make a positive impact in the lives of our kids. We don’t refer to them as Team Awesome for nothing: we call them that because they are TRULY AWESOME!
School Meals Make a Difference
Healthy school meals are a win-win for everyone. They provide the fuel our kids need to succeed in school, play, and life. By supporting balanced, nutritious meals, we’re not only investing in the health of our children but also in the future of our community. It’s time to come together, get creative, and ensure that every student has access to meals that make them feel strong, focused, and ready for anything!
Have you ever stopped to think about what school meals really do for our kids? They’re not just about filling up stomachs: they’re about fueling young minds and bodies for a day of learning, growing, and playing. Healthy school meals are an investment in our future, and when we all come together to support them, we create a healthier, happier, and more successful environment for everyone.
Every day, our kids are asked to think, learn, and interact with the world around them. To do all of this well, they need the right fuel! Healthy school meals, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, give them the nutrients they need to stay focused, energized, and ready to take on the day’s challenges. From sharpening math skills to building strong bones, nutrition is key to ensuring students have what it takes to achieve and succeed.
Gone are the days when school lunches were bland and boring. Today’s healthy school meals are colorful, creative, and delicious! Imagine an entrée such
as pasta with meat sauce, chicken tikka masala or a refreshing fruit and yogurt parfait with house-made granola, paired with crisp Romaine salad, microgreens, kiwis, diced mangos, jicama, baby carrots and a fresh baked whole grain roll. By making meals vibrant and fun, we can turn lunchtime into an opportunity for kids to discover new tastes, explore different cultures, and get excited about eating healthy. Together, we can transform lunch into a celebration of health!
We invite you to share you and your child’s input on meals, as we are here to serve and find the best options for our students. Let’s work together to build a healthier, happier, and brighter future ‒ one healthy meal at a time! Contact Nutrition Services at pbilbrey@susd.org.
A Bold Step Toward Healthier School Menus
A few years back, Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Nutrition Services took some bold steps to promote healthier eating habits and improve the overall well-being of students. In partnership with parents, SUSD has been working to eliminate harmful additives and enhance the nutritional quality of school meals.
A Collaborative Approach for Better Nutrition
The SUSD Nutrition Services Department has always adopted a collaborative approach by engaging with the community throughout the process of rethinking school meals. Our partnerships reflect the department’s commitment to creating a school environment where students have access to fresh, nutritious, and well-balanced meals.
Through the SUSD Nutrition Initiative, our department has worked closely with parents to gather feedback on student preferences, dietary needs, and concerns about food additives. Parents play a crucial role by providing input, advocating for healthier options, and supporting the transition to more wholesome meals.
Additionally, SUSD and a large majority of school nutrition professionals have partnered with food manufacturers to ensure the food provided in schools meets the demand for products free of artificial additives such as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), monosodium glutamate (MSG), and other chemicals commonly found in processed foods. By fostering strong relationships with food suppliers, the district is ensuring that meals are not only tasty but also healthier, supporting students' long-term health.
SUSD Nutrition Services Menus – Fresh, Healthy, Balanced, and Student-Centric
At SUSD, we have removed the following ingredients from our menus:
- MSG
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Artificial Food Dyes
- BHT/BHA
- TBHQ
Additionally, we have limited the following:
- Fat-free chocolate milk now contains 10g of added sugar (down from 14g).
- Fat-free chocolate milk is available at lunch only, and not at breakfast.
- A la carte items are limited to 13g of added sugar or less.
- Our menu is nearly nitrate/nitrite free.
Fun Facts & Expectations:
- A wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables is offered daily.
- All grains are whole grains.
- We bake, never fry.
- Reduced fat, sodium, and sugar are the standards for all meals.
- Always look for smaller and cleaner ingredient decks.
- Advocate for industry changes to meet our long-term and short-term goals.
- Entrées include a variety of options, such as hot meal favorites, entrée salads, yogurt parfaits, acai bowls, bistro packs, freshly made sandwiches, and more.
- We are developing and introducing Blue Zone-approved entrées and side items.
- Student taste tests and menu committees help shape our offerings to ensure they meet student preferences.
Cooking with the T-birds
In November, Nutrition Services teamed up with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension to host a Family Cooking Night at Yavapai Elementary School. We showcased the joys and benefits of cooking and dining together at home, as families crafted their own personal pizzas using fresh ingredients, tossed together a colorful salad, and mixed a homemade dressing that added the perfect finishing touch!
10,000 Meals Served: A Heartwarming Celebration of Gratitude
The week before Thanksgiving, our school cafeterias went above and beyond to make sure every SUSD elementary and K-8 student had the opportunity to enjoy a delicious and festive holiday meal. In a display of community spirit, our cafeterias teamed with parent volunteers and SUSD staff to serve 10,000 Thanksgiving lunches to students across the district, creating memories and spreading joy!
Hats off to Team Awesome for this monumental effort. The cafeteria staff worked tirelessly in the days leading up to Nov. 21 to ensure every student received a hearty, traditional meal and our team knocked it out of the park this year.
This enormous challenge is well worth the effort. The students were excited, and so were we. It was a true labor of love, as serving Thanksgiving lunch is more than just about food, but also about showing students they are valued, appreciated and cared for.
We are grateful for Team Awesome and all they do, not only on this special day, but every day! Here's to many more shared meals ahead!
Thanksgiving is coming, but before we all enjoy a few extra days off with our families, Nutrition Services is excited to host our annual turkey dinner once again on the menu for our elementary and K-8 students and their families on Thursday, November 21! It’s such a busy, fun, exciting day that even our office staff is out in the schools helping serve meals. You can expect turkey and mashed potatoes, along with other traditional side dishes. Gobble, gobble, gobble!
Did you know that your family can apply for the free-and-reduced meal program at any time during the school year? Did you know that if you’ve already applied but didn’t qualify and your circumstances have changed, you can apply again? Did you know that if your child attends school at Coronado, Hohokam, Tonalea, or Yavapai, they can eat breakfast and lunch for free without even applying? All these things are true, so we encourage you to take advantage of these programs!
Looking for something rewarding to do while your students are in school during the day? Come work with Team Awesome! We have full-time and part-time positions open in our kitchens AND our main office. Some of these positions’ hours vary, so the schedule that works for you may just be a great fit for our team. Go to susd.org/jobs and type Nutrition in the Search bar.