Photo via flickr: USDAgov

Ever wonder what your kids are eating for school lunch? Do you have a strong opinion about healthier and less processed foods in the lunch line?

We think this is a great idea from Chesterfield County!!

Chesterfield County Public Schools is inviting students and parents to taste food being considered for school lunches and breakfasts. Feedback will help shape the 2014-15 menus.

The school system has scheduled its first-ever tasting fairs for March 27 at
Clover Hill High School and April 2 at Thomas Dale High School.

About 30 items will be served at the Food Fair, including healthier and less-processed foods. Here are just a few of the items that will be offered: cucumber and tomato salad, sweet and sour broccoli, mushroom and Swiss burger, Asian chicken taco, cinnamon breakfast roll, Italian green beans, macaroni and cheese, pizza and whole-grain cookies. So much food will be available that families can think of the Food Fair as a free supper!

This free event is open to all families with children in Chesterfield County Public Schools. Online registration is required and space is limited, so families should register as soon as possible:

Click here to register for the March 27 event at Clover Hill High
Click here to register for the April 2 event at Thomas Dale High

There will be two tasting periods on March 27 and two on April 2: 6-7 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Families are asked to sign up for just one time period. Families can register up to four people; at least one parent must accompany elementary and middle school students. Details about potential allergens will be posted at each food station.

For more information, call 804-743-3717.

Not in Chesterfield County? Let your administration know you think this is a great idea!

Green Monkey delivers organic lunches to local schools. Really.

If you’re looking for ways to help your child or grandchild become healthier and eat better, then you definitely want to know more about Green Monkey. And Tuesday is the time to learn.

On Tuesday, August 16, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., the Green Monkey Kitchen at 9033 Quioccasin Road is having an open house, so you can see what they’re all about. If you plan to utilize their lunch program for your children this year, then you’re invited to find out what’s new and let your children see where their lunches are prepared.

Edible Education will also be there to talk about nutrition and healthy cooking classes for kids. You’ll find other vendors, balloons, games, and door prizes too. And don’t miss a sampling of Green Monkey’s delicious foods prepared with many locally grown vegetables and fruits.

Not sure if you want to use them yet or wondering what they have to offer your kids? Then attend the open house on Tuesday and talk to them about what’s available. Find out if they deliver to your child’s school. They currently deliver to dozens of public and private schools.

Green Monkey prepares healthy, organic, fresh lunches every day and delivers to schools throughout the Richmond area. They are teaching children to eat nutritiously and enjoy it — one bite at a time. With an emphasis on a sustainable environment, they only use eco-friendly lunch packing materials too.

This year, they’re including a new option. You can opt to have Juice Plus+ included with your child’s lunch. It’s one of the best ways to ensure kids get their daily USDA recommended vegetables and fruits. Even if you don’t use the Green Monkey school lunch delivery program, you can purchase Juice Plus+ for your child through Green Monkey Executive Chef,  Lisa Granger’s website.

Visit the Green Monkey Catering website to find out more about them — and take advantage of their services to provide your child or grandchild with a healthy, organic and delicious lunch delivered to his or her school fresh every day.

Upscale Catering

And if you’re in need of specialty, upscale catering, be sure and talk with Lisa Granger or Lynn Tauchen at Green Monkey about your needs. They’re happy to customize your event to make it uniquely you. Call 804.740.MNKY (6659). Book them now for upcoming holiday events and let them take the worry out of your event so you can just have fun.

Green Monkey makes school lunches healthy, nutritious and fun!

Childhood obesity is at an all-time high in our nation, and parents and grandparents are seeking innovative ways to overcome the problem for their children. Preparing healthy nutritious lunches is one way to help children eat better, but it can be challenging when it comes to finding time, healthy foods, and ways to keep school lunches fresh.

Real Richmond moms have busy mornings, hectic schedules, and conflicting priorities as they find themselves running in many directions on a daily basis. Keeping the pantry and fridge stocked with plenty of wholesome, organic foods can be difficult.

Now it’s Easy!

Now there’s a quick and easy way to ensure your child or grandchild gets the healthy, nutritious lunch he or she deserves. Green Monkey is a company dedicated to delivering well-balanced lunch portions appropriate for school aged children from ages 5 to 18. The meals include a delicious array of lean meats, fresh fruit and breads, local vegetables and healthy starches. The Green Monkey executive chef uses organic produce and meats, and ensures foods are always free from added hormones, pesticides, preservatives, dyes, chemicals and unnecessary salt and sugar.

Green Monkey Delivers

But to make it even better, Green Monkey delivers these healthy nutritious meals directly to your child’s school. You simply order the meals and their staff delivers meals on-time based on school schedules. Meals are prepared by professional, licensed chefs who have a passion for wholesome, quality foods and a desire to help children live healthier lives.

Healthy Eating is Fun

And because Green Monkey realizes that children often need a good reason to eat healthy, they make it fun too. For example, Wonderful Wednesday includes a delicious, wholesome cookie of the week treat. Freaky Friday is time for an internationally inspired dish. Children enjoy the surprises and treats they find in their lunches every day.

Check out their website and see all that they have to ffer. Test out their program of providing school lunches directly to your child’s school and rest assured that children will have healthy, delicious and fun lunches every day.

Then, sit back and relax with a cup of coffee in the morning!

Green Monkey is located at 9033 Quioccasin Road, Richmond, Virginia and can be reached at 804.214.MNKY (6659).