Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ Nutrition Services hosted its annual Food Show at Southwind High School last Thursday. The event allowed students from 10 schools to sample and rate a variety of meal options that may be added to future school menus, as per the Memphis-Shelby County Schools release.
Vendors presented foods reviewed by MSCS dietitian Emily Papineau, who ensured each item met school nutrition standards for breakfasts, lunches, grains, and fruits. Students rated the foods using a simple system—green tags for approval and red tags for items they didn’t prefer.
Rolandria Dunlap, Training Supervisor for Nutrition Services, said student feedback helps determine which foods are served in schools. Local business owner Veronica Alcatraz Saucedo, of Fresh Start Healthy Meals, also participated, emphasizing the importance of offering culturally diverse meal options.
Students enjoyed the event, sharing positive reactions about the experience. Southwind High’s media team provided music, and raffles were held throughout the day.
After the event, Clean Memphis collected leftover food and donated it to Merge Memphis, supporting community outreach and reducing waste. The Food Show continues to serve as a way for students to influence school meal planning while encouraging sustainability and community involvement.
