Aramark Newsletter: Food For Thought

No Tricks, Just Flavor: October Menu & More

October is here, and there’s a lot to look forward to—from National School Lunch Week to a little Halloween fun. It’s also a great time to celebrate the meals that help keep your students energized and ready for the day.

All month long, we’re serving up a mix of familiar favorites and new options your students will actually look forward to—making mealtime one less thing on your plate. Here’s to a fun and flavorful October!

Free and Reduced Applications are Open!

Ensure your child is ready to shine on their first day of school by applying for free and reduced lunch! Studies show that students who eat school meals are better prepared for the school day. Our meals are carefully curated to be nutritious, but filling and delicious.

Applying is easy and confidential. You can apply online through Payschools or with a paper application found on our website or at the front office of your student's school!

October's Limited Time Offer: Southwest Crunch Burger

October is here—and so is a new limited-time favorite! Meet the Southwest Crunch Burger, a hearty option packed with bold flavor. It features a seasoned beef patty topped with a cheesy blend of roasted onions and peppers, plus warm spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic. Finished with a crunchy layer of Tostitos® tortilla chips, it’s a fun twist your students won’t want to miss.

The LTO will be available on October 6th for High School and October 9th for Middle School.

Food That Feels Good

School meals are about more than just what’s on the plate—they’re made to help power the potential of your students throughout the day.

We keep things simple with wholesome ingredients, without added dyes or ingredients that often raise questions. Our meals follow USDA guidelines, with a balance of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy—while keeping sugar and salt in check. Whenever we can, we cook from scratch, and when we use prepared items, we partner with brands families know and trust

National School Lunch Week: Oct 12–16

National School Lunch Week is almost here! This year’s Cafeteria Circus theme brings a little extra fun to lunchtime, and it’s an important week for students to be part of the experience. During the week, students will complete daily challenges to learn the importance of eating school lunch!

We encourage your student to join us for school lunch during this special week—you won’t want them to miss out. It’s a great time to be in the cafeteria and share in the fun with friends.

The word %22Sweet%22 at the top in white lettering with an orange back around. Chocolate chip cookies on top of a yellow background.

National Vegetarian Day

October 1st is National Vegetarian Day! We have plenty of options that make a complete meal without meat. We will be serving the Vegetarian Street Corn Chowder at the high and middle school cafterias!

Events

Here at Aramark, we take pride in engaging students in the cafeteria! Our events are designed to bring students and staff together through food. From themed meal days and taste tests to celebrations and special pop-ups, these events enable students to try new foods, learn about balanced choices, and enjoy familiar favorites in a relatable way.

Try It Tuesday

Have you ever struggled to get your kids excited about eating fruits and veggies? You’re not alone! That’s why Dublin City Food Service started “Try It Tuesday”! A monthly tradition in which students try a new fruit or vegetable each month. Learn how it works and why your students love it.

Sign reading "learn more about peppers" and a plate of pepper samples in little cups sit in front of the sign

Encouraging students to eat fruits and veggies isn't easy, especially with picky eaters. Introducing new foods can feel like a never-ending battle, and it only gets harder as kids grow. Early food experiences shape future habits; according to the CDC, “Early eating experiences can also affect how we eat as we get older.” (CDC, 2021) Try It Tuesday addresses this by making fruits and vegetables approachable and fun.

Student standing behind tray with pepper samples

What is Try It Tuesday? Once a month, students sample a new or current fruit or veggie. The principal gives a brief introduction about its benefits and origin. Students vote on what they want to try next. Dietitian Allison Silva notes that giving kids control at mealtimes increases their willingness to try new foods, supporting our voting method.

Some Try It Tuesdays aren’t hits—students may not enjoy every sample, and sometimes they compare it to things they dislike. That’s okay. We don’t scold them; instead, we praise good manners and encourage them to try again next month. We celebrate effort, even if they just learn about a new food.

To stay connected and engaged with what’s happening, follow our Instagram and Facebook to see what your students are sampling each month. Join the conversation by sharing your child’s Try It Tuesday experience or letting us know which new fruits or veggies your family is enjoying at home! Your involvement helps us make healthy eating even more fun for everyone.

ACE School Visits

ACE is Aramark's official cheerful mascot who helps students learn about healthy eating, trying new foods, and making smart choices! ACE has been touring elementary schools around the district with a big smile and lots of school spirit!

His first stop was to celebrate the opening of Bishop Elementary! He high-fived his way through the lunchroom with our general manager, Megan. Teaching the importance of eating a well-balanced lunch before returning to class.

Special Event Promotions

Limited Time Offers

Limited Time Offers are unique menu items available every month for a short period of time. These offerings give students the opportunity to try something new and exciting while keeping meals fresh, fun, and engaging throughout the school year.

LTOs allows us to introduce new flavors, recipes, and food trends without making permanent changes to the menu. By selecting new items for a limited time, students can experience variety and creativity at meqaltime, while parents can feel confident knowing meals are thoughtfully planned and balanced.

LTOs help keep students interested in school meals and encourages them to explore foods they may not normally choose. When students are excited about what's being served, they're more likely to participate in school meals and enjoy a positive dining experience.

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