With the new school year, new school lunches have surely been noticed. Amy Droegmeier, the USD 232’s new nutritionist has mixed up the traditional school lunches.

Students of De Soto High School have surely noticed the healthy changes from last year. Everything has been turned to whole grain with the exception of macaroni which is still in progress and the traditional iceberg lettuce on the salad bar has been turned to a romaine and spinach mix. More ala carte options including hummus and pita chips have been added to the menu and more new options are soon to come.

 However, not all the new entrées are exactly new.

 “I am not a creature of habit. I know I don’t like to eat the same things over and over again, so we’re trying to put some new spins on some old stuff,” explained Droegmeier.

 Last month, students indulged in an Asian-themed lunch with orange chicken and fortune cookies. The orange chicken was just chicken nuggets but with an orange sauce. Droegmeier did the same with the Swedish meatball entrée just a couple weeks ago. The same meatballs were used, just as a different use.

 Throughout the district, Droegmeier has set up Taste Test Tuesdays where students are able to try new options coming soon to the menu. On Oct. 4, DHS became the first secondary school to participate in the sample bar. Students tried a new spicy chicken sandwich on whole grain buns, a black bean burger with chipotle mayonnaise, roasted red pepper hummus and pita chips, as well as a raspberry filled churro.

 Droegmeier is striving to add new options to the menu every month so students should be on the lookout for new tasty options. Students can follow the district’s Nutrition department via Twitter at @USD232Nutrition.