Frisco ISD is making it easier for elementary students to make healthy choices through the lunch line.

A series of donations from the Let's Move Salad Bars to Texas Schools health campaign has helped the District fund salad bars at six more elementary schools, with three additional campuses set to receive salad bars in the coming months.

“If we want to try something, we can get a little or we can get however much we want,” explained a fourth grader at Taylor Elementary.

Recent offerings at the school included romaine lettuce, carrots, celery, tomatoes, chickpeas, corn, apples and mandarin oranges, though options vary each day.

The cost of an elementary lunch is the same – $2.25 – no matter how many fruits or vegetables students put on their plate.

“Students love it and parents love it because the children have more choices,” said Taylor Cafeteria Manager Mina Patel. “It’s something they can build themselves.”

Students are encouraged to take small amounts of new foods and to eat a variety, though some choose to load up on one or more items.

“It can help you get more energy because we have more work to do after lunch,” noted one Taylor student.

The salad bar program launched last school year at ten FISD elementary schools and has expanded based on demand as new funding becomes available. 

All Frisco ISD schools currently feature a daily salad option on the lunch menu.

“Our goal is to increase the number of children eating a healthy and nutrient-rich diet,” said Frisco ISD Child Nutrition Director Debera Tredennick. “Our cafeterias work very hard to make the salad bars as attractive and easy to maneuver as possible so that hopefully, students will want to try additional fruits and vegetables.”

The four new FISD elementary schools currently under construction will open next year with salad bars as a part of the serving line.

Each FISD elementary campus was awarded the U.S. Department of Agriculture Bronze Award in 2011 for efforts to promote healthy food choices and exercise.