August 2022
August 18th, 2022 - 8:30 - 9:30 AM
From Farm Field to Lunchroom Table:
The Power of Fresh Produce in School Nutrition
Join us in-person or virtually for the August Agribusiness Forum! This month, we’ll hear from Marissa Dake, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at DNO Produce.
Everyone has an opinion about school lunches. Visions of “mystery meat” or “plastic cheese” might flash through your mind. 90’s kids might remember smiley fries, pizza sticks, and juice bars in tiny triangle packages. And the only produce on your plate? Mushy canned peas and a syrupy scoop of peach slices. And you might be living under a rock if you haven’t heard the “ketchup is a vegetable” debate. It’s no wonder school meals garner such scrutiny.
However, if you step into a lunchroom today you may be surprised. School lunches have changed dramatically in the past decade and fresh produce is on the menu! Take a peek at a tray and you just might see juicy grape tomatoes, crunchy sugar snap peas, and locally grown strawberries.
Columbus- based DNO Produce (DNO) is on the cutting edge—forgive the pun—of child nutrition. The fresh-cut produce processor and wholesale distributor is known for introducing innovative, new-to-market products like watermelon radish, red bell pepper, and golden kiwi for school children. With a focus on making healthy easy for kids, DNO emphasizes fruits and veggies in a kid-friendly format. Crinkle-cut cucumbers, carrot coins, and jicama sticks make fruits and veggies an exciting adventure instead of a begrudging obligation. If you think school lunch is a yawn, think again.
What’s on the menu for the next generation of consumers? How will kid’s expanding palates impact future food trends? Is fresh produce here to stay? Take a look behind the scenes at DNO and learn what it looks like to take produce from the farm field to the lunchroom table.
Sponsors
Cost
This is a event is free to attend, but registration is required to attend.