New flavor stations are spicing up school lunches

Springfield Public Schools’ student nutrition department has launched a new flavor station initiative in the district’s high schools and middle schools with custom seasoning blends for students to customize their meals.

Through several feedback sessions with student councils across the district, the SPS nutrition team found that students wanted more flavorful food and the ability to customize their meals. These new flavor stations were developed to allow students to add flavor to their meals, while still adhering to nutritional guidelines involving ingredients like salt and added sugar. 

“So far, students seem to be loving the addition to the cafeterias,” said SPS Executive Chef Eric Sjaaheim. “The seasonings are being used liberally, and I've seen a lot of students at Central mix and match with several flavors.”

This initial round of seasonings include Taco Dust, Pizza Powder, Ranch Remix, BBQ Blast and Seoul Fire. These were designed to complement the schools’ regular offerings, like the tortilla station with Taco Dust, pizza and pasta with Pizza Powder, salads and potatoes with Ranch Remix and grill sandwiches with BBQ Blast. The Seoul Fire seasoning was inspired by Korean gochugaru peppers, and adds a spicy kick to anything students want to turn the heat up on. 

With the success of these stations, the nutrition department plans to introduce more mild flavors to elementary schools soon. Eventually, the team hopes to create custom sauces for students, including “dupes” of modern sauces from places like Chick-fil-A or Chipotle and an SPS Special Burger Sauce.