Recognizing the importance of nutrition education, Whitsons offers two nutrition wellness programs for our school districts: Smart Choices for high and middle school levels and Nutrition Safari for elementary schools, both described below. These programs are offered to our clients free of charge.

Smart ChoicesTM Secondary School Program
Whitsons, in conjunction with health association and nutrition professionals, has developed a signature nutritional awareness program called Smart Choices for our secondary school programs (levels 6-12). The Smart Choices program educates customers on heart-healthy dining options and nutritional needs, such as low fat, low sodium and low cholesterol entrees and desserts. We place an emphasis on tasty and nutritious foods that provide value, as well as good health choices. We provide promotional materials to help educate our customers about healthy eating habits, including:

• Our menus include heart-healthy selections that are designated with a small heart logo for easy identification.
• A static window sticker of our Smart Choices logo is placed on the servery display cases to indicate to customers which are the healthier options of the day.
• A full line of colorful posters decorating the servery and surrounding area promoting healthy eating and physical activity.
• A monthly newsletter featuring many useful articles about everything from grilling techniques to yoga tips.
• A series of information pamphlets that provide a unique insight into many health-related issues.
• Sensible Snack Program, including fresh whole fruits, yogurt parfaits, fresh baked pretzels, baked chips, raisins, fruit cups, veggies with lowfat dip, etc.
• Each month, we promote a Smart Choices theme day with a focus on a special nutritious menu feature.

Nutrition SafariTM Elementary School Program
In addition to nutritious menu items, Whitsons has created an innovative new nutrition awareness program for elementary students (grades K-5). Nutrition Safari™, Whitsons’ revolutionary program, makes learning about nutrition a fun, exciting adventure! We will show your elementary students the importance of a well-balanced meal and regular exercise through the teachings of our unique safari characters:

• Luke the Lion: “The mane course is your protein source.”
• Jillian the Giraffe: “Reach for your greens.”
• Grant the Gazelle: “Limit your sweets, whenever you eat.”
• Hardy the Hyena: “Hardy har har, don’t forget your carbs.”
• Heidi the Hippo: “Dairy is delightful.”
• Murray the Monkey: “Don’t monkey around with your fruits.”

Using our unique characters, each representing a different food group, we reinforce healthy eating and the importance of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Our program includes:  

• Nutritional Menus. Each spokesanimal takes turns sponsoring the monthly menu with a special nutrition message. The healthier item of the day is the first choice on the menu and highlighted with an apple.
• Monthly Nutrition Theme Day. Each month, we host a Nutrition Safari theme day.
• Posters with Nutritional Messages. Throughout the servery, we feature nutritional messages from the safari characters, plus posters that promote healthy eating and activity.
• Apple Window Clings. These are placed on the servery glass in front of Healthy ChoiceTM menu items.
• Monthly Activity Sheets. We distribute monthly activity sheets with nutrition information and puzzles, word searches and recipes.
• Spokesanimal Visit. At least once per year, one of the safari characters will come in full costume, along with a “Safari Ranger” to speak to the children about nutrition during lunch.
• Additional Decor. Stationery and cut-outs depicting the characters and their message reinforce our program.

Wellness Committee Participation
To ensure our menus and promotional programs continue to meet our clients’ needs and exceed their expectations, we will participate in regular menu/wellness committees and student advisory committees comprised of representatives from every school, to include principals, faculty and staff, PTA members, students, parents and foodservice staff.

Elementary School Menus
In elementary schools, our emphasis is on providing great tasting, nutritious food, rather than promoting a food court style with too many choices that would be overwhelming to immature palates. We offer a variety of entrée choices every day, as well as a la carte purchases that are typically limited to wholesome choices such as fresh fruits and vegetables and carefully approved snacks, based on the preferences of  the districts we serve. In addition, we focus on creating a fun, attractive dining experience for the students through new signage and decorations—particularly to promote nutritional education and create excitement over themed meals.

Highlights of our nutrition-focused menu include:

• whole wheat bread/buns/bagels/pizza crust are primary offerings
• whole grain pasta and brown rice are primary offerings
• available daily: yogurt parfaits, fresh veggies with lowfat dip, fresh whole fruit, fruit cups, fresh garden salad, fresh entree salad, yogurt meal option, lowfat milk
• sensible snack program meeting these guidelines: each snack item must have 7 grams of fat or less, 2 grams sat fat or less, 360 mg sodium or less, 15 grams sugar or less