Sexy真人

For Immediate Release: January 20, 2015
Contact: Lynne Richmond听
(609) 633-2954
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us听

(NEW BRUNSWICK) 鈥� The New Jersey Department of Agriculture presented the Third Annual USDA Foods Conference on January 15 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick, showcasing the newest healthy school lunch and breakfast offerings that could appear in school cafeterias around the state next school year.听

More than 300 school food service professionals and business administrators attended presentations and a vendor show of the latest trends in prepared school menu items made from U.S. Department of Agriculture donated bulk foods.听 The manufacturers and distributors presented foods geared to meet the nutritional requirements of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act school food regulations implemented in 2013.
The USDA Foods Distribution program allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to utilize USDA foods and distribute them to processors who make nutritious, reduced-fat, lower sodium, whole grain products at a cost savings to school districts.听

鈥淭he food manufacturers who attended the show displayed foods that appeal to children鈥檚 tastes but at the same time meet the federal government鈥檚 school food nutrition requirements,鈥� said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.听鈥淭he Christie Administration supports programs such as this that assist school districts in providing healthy options in school cafeterias.鈥�

Janet Hawk of the Sexy真人 School Nutrition Association and Secretary Fisher at the USDA Foods Show

The conference gave school food service professionals the opportunity to sample the foods and speak directly with manufacturers to meet their district鈥檚 specific needs, helping them to determine which foods to order for the 2015-2016 school year.

This year, there were many creative options including, sweet potato items; quesadilla pizza and other foods made with quesadillas; mini whole grain and red pepper tacos; pulled turkey barbecue; and many Asian-style foods, including those without breading.

鈥淲e displayed products for multiple appeal 鈥� prepackaged meals and frozen products,鈥� said Lisa Carroll of Advantage Marketing who represents Jenny O, J & J Snack Foods, Schwans and ES Foods.听 鈥淲e attended the show to service the school districts with quality products.鈥�

Armida Caldwell of Sodexo, Lakewood Township鈥檚 School Food Service Director and the district鈥檚 Assistant Purchasing Agent Diane Piasentini strolled the show to see what new and interesting items are available for next school year.

鈥淚 am curious about the variety of items that are being offered, still within the nutritional guidelines,鈥� said Piasentini.听 鈥淲e鈥檙e also looking at items for our breakfast in the classroom program.鈥�

Caldwell added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 helpful to have the show.听 We鈥檙e always looking for variety and don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 out there.鈥�

To start out the day, sessions were held to give program updates, review online features to assist school districts in the process and educate them about the Department of Defense Direct Delivery of Produce program.听 The program enables school districts to receive a larger variety of produce delivered directly to them on a weekly basis.听 They also will be able to purchase more Jersey Fresh products during the growing season.

For more information on the USDA Foods Distribution program, visit .