At the Lunch Lady we know that there are some extremely talented cooks among our customers, and when we heard that the Food Network was searching for a recipe that could win $250,000 we knew we had to tell you!

Recipe to Riches is a new reality TV show on Food Network and Global TV looking for Canada's best recipe and offering a $250,000 grand prize and a chance to become one of 7 new President's Choice products.

Just bring your favorite dish to one of their upcoming open calls in Halifax, Vancouver, Montreal or Toronto! Pre-register online at www.recipetoriches.ca under Applications to reserve a time slot.

For full category information and details on what to expect consult the frequently asked questions page on their website.

Happy cooking!

We're hosting Franchise Info Sessions in the Vancouver Area January 26th and February 22nd!

Have you ever wished you could make a secondary income for your family while maintaining a flexible schedule? Do you like working with kids and being involved in your community? Are you ready for a more fulfilling career? If so, a Lunch Lady franchise may be the perfect opportunity for you.

Lunch Ladies and Lunch Guys not only provide a valuable service, but they also enjoy a flexible schedule which allows them to operate on ‘teacher’ hours and vacation time. For many franchise partners “The Lunch Lady” was exactly the lifestyle change they were looking for.

With over 17 years of experience, the Lunch Lady is Canada’s largest elementary school lunch provider. This fall Lunch Lady founder Ruthie Burd was selected as one of Canada’s Top 50 Mompreneurs of 2010 by Mompreneur Magazine.

Thanks to the Lunch Lady, many parents can now benefit from an individually catered hot lunch program in their school. Today the Lunch Lady serves over 800 schools and more than 2 million lunches a year through a network of nearly 50 franchises across Canada.

We’re growing quickly! The number of communities we serve has more than doubled in the past three years. The Lunch Lady might just be the business opportunity you’ve been waiting for. To learn more about this exciting franchise opportunity please visit the Franchising section of our site or contact franchise@thelunchlady.ca.

Live in BC? Attend one of our upcoming info sessions in BC.  Email anyasandra@thelunchlady.ca or call 604-941-8383 to reserve your spot!

Session information is provided below:

January 26 - 7:00 PM
Italian Cultural Centre, Room #4
3075 Slocan Street
Vancouver, BC

February 22 - 7:00 PM
Holiday Inn and Suites - North Van
700 Old Lillooet Road
North Vancouver, BC

It is pretty safe to say that most parents know what good food choices are. The problem is that most kids [like us adults] are motivated by cravings for sweet and salty foods, not carrots. And with such busy lives, parents don’t want to spend limited family time arguing with their children about food.

If you have visions of the multigrain sandwich you spent so much time, planning for and shopping for and making going into the garbage along with the apple you packed your fears may be justified.

We make lunch for thousands for kids in elementary schools every day and here’s what we see. The “healthy” stuff is often accompanied by a whole range of snacks meant to be eaten after. But kids don’t eat food at school in the order you intended and eat the sweet salty treats first and wash them down with the drink and then feel full.

This type of “full” does not last. Kids run out of the fuel they need to learn before the school day ends. When they get home they are really hungry and unfortunately start to rummage around in your snack stash because it is easy, it is portable and can be eaten while on the computer.

In real terms, this means that you have inadvertently enabled your kids to live mostly on snacks since breakfast.

Here’s what you can do:

1) Accept that kids eat the easiest foods first and plan for it. If you are worried that they will eat the cookies first, then pack only one cookie so that the treat will not be enough to fill them up. The need to eat will move them on to the healthier offerings in the lunch bag

2) Remember you are the keeper of the cupboard. You decide how many treats you will buy for the week. When they are gone, do not buy more. Bring out the carrots, the whole grain bread and the shredded cheese and flour tortillas. Hungry kids really will eat anything.

Good luck. Be strong. Remember YOU are the parent.

The article Chicken Nuggets: Good Intentions Gone Bad? by Karen Collins, published for the American Institute for Cancer Research, addresses our shift away from red meat to chicken, including the ever popular Chicken Nugget. Children love Nuggets but should children be eating them? Are Nuggets the first step on the road to obesity and poor health?

I am not a nutritionist or a food professional but after spending 16 years encouraging healthier alternatives for children attending elementary schools, I am concerned that we may be getting caught up in the Good Food, Bad Food Controversy. We have been shifting the blame for our tendency to get heavier with each generation from one food to another without solving the problem. What not to eat can be just as much a fad as what to eat.  There is no weight gain mystery. We eat too much and too often!  The simple solution is to worry less, eat more fruits and vegetables and eat smaller portions of everything else.

Collins writes “The complete answer about chicken nuggets can’t be found simply by comparing them with various alternatives. The nutritional impact depends on how the overall meal is put together”.  She is so right! It’s the overall fat, calorie, sugar and sodium impact of whatever we eat that makes the difference. At the end of the day, Chicken Nuggets are just one little piece of a huge Food Smorgasbord. It’s how many you eat at one seating that counts – four Nuggets is a reasonable serving.   Nuggets are not all created equal so read the box to check the nutritional content and bake them to avoid adding extra fat.

So are chicken nuggets bad?  No, not really. What truly matters is how we put our food together and as time goes by, I realize that some of those old clichés our parents were fond of,  like, “everything in moderation” [except fruits and vegetables of course – we need more of those] still make sense.

— Ruthie Burd

Ruthie Burd is a Mom and the Founder of the Lunch Lady.

WHO CAN BELIEVE THAT WINTER IS UPON US ONCE AGAIN?

It’s time for cold noses, boots and scarves, ice skates and hockey sticks, skis, boards and toboggans and snowmen. And it’s time for HOT FOOD. Every School Day, our Lunch Ladies and Lunch Guys are up early, busily preparing the perfect foods for the Winter Season to warm up the tummies of your children. Our menu has something for everyone, and we welcome you to enjoy a good lunch from our kitchens.

As the New Year approaches, we wish you and your family health and happiness and the joys of the Holiday Season.

Check out the menu overview below for some item highlights. Please be sure to check your school’s paper menu or our online ordering site for details and additional menu items.

MENU THEME – WINTER COMFORT FARE

Our Best Value Combos

We selected some of our most popular items and created perfectly balanced combos that will be sure to please your child’s taste buds and your wallet. Our complete lunches include a healthier side and 100% juice. Choose from grilled cheese, buttery pasta parmesan or our yummy pancakes.

Fun Boxes Are Changing To Fun Bags

Our Fun Boxes have been so popular this year that we ran out of them. Watch for our NEW decorated Kraft Mini Shopping Bag that is made of recycled sturdy paper and can be enjoyed after lunch is over. Each FUN Bag still includes an entree, fruit or raw veggie, 100% juice and small sweet treat. Choose from all white chicken nuggets or a beef hamburger. Many kitchens offer Halal and Vegetarian versions of the Fun Bag

A La Carte Ordering – Build Your Own Lunch

Ordering from our Winter Comfort Fare is just like going to a restaurant. Do you want a traditional dinner, a wrap, something from the Burger Bar or how about ordering something from “Around the World”?

What’s on?

The Traditional Roast Chicken Drumstick Holiday Dinner

Always a favourite, this home-style meal is sure to satisfy. Our roasted drumstick is served up with homemade mashed potatoes, kernel corn and Chicken Gravy [no need to mention it is Low Sodium] (hot meal)

It’s Still Toasty Time!

These open-faced sandwiches are sure a big hit! This time we’ve added a toasty, cheesy meatball sub. See what’s available from your kitchen. (hot meal)

Sushi Holds Its Own!

More and more children are enjoying this healthy lunch alternative. More and more of our kitchens are on a roll! (cold meal)

New – Rice Bowls

Take whole grain rice, add a layer of steamed veggies and top with chicken strips in Teriyaki Sauce and you have our new Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl (hot meal)

Nothing Says Comfort Like Shepherd’s Pie

Creamy real mashed potato top a flavourful mix of simmered ground beef and vegetables . A real Tummy pleaser (hot meal)

Chicken Parmesan Pasta

A healthier way to enjoy a classic favourite. Sliced chicken cutlet on a bed of spaghetti, topped with a rich pasta sauce and low fat Mozzarella Cheese . Yum (hot meal)

The Cheeseburger Is A Keeper

We didn’t invent it but it is the first time in a long time that we have offered it. Melted cheese on a lean beef patty inside a whole grain bun. For a little bit more you can add lettuce tomato and pickle to make it perfect!(hot meal)

Are You Full Of Beans??

You will be after you enjoy one of our amazing taco salads. Here’s what’s in it - chopped romaine topped with kidney beans, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes and shredded low fat mozzarella cheese. Served with side Italian dressing and crushed corn chips (cold meal)

Crunchy Chicken Ranch Wrap

We had so many requests, we had to put it on the Winter menu. Cold breaded chicken strips, romaine and lite ranch dressing rolled up in a whole grain flour tortilla. How can something so simple taste so good? (cold meal)

It’s Never Too Cold For A Rips 100% Fruit Juice Slushie

So what that it is freezing outside! It’s never too cold to give yourself a “Brain Freeze “ This product is exclusive to the Lunch Lady Group. It comes in a cool foil pouch. It arrives at school frozen and will partially thaw by lunch time. [not in BC]

Sparkling Fruit Juice

Take unsweetened fruit juice , add natural sparkling water and put it in a 100% recyclable can and imagine how GREAT it is going to taste!

Berry Bottom Yogurt

Everyone loves the layered yogurt desserts we prepare each day for the schools we serve. This one features mixed berries topped with vanilla yogurt .

New Deliciously Red Juice From Oasis

1 ½ servings of fruit in a box with a great taste. Hope you try it! This is a new product and may not be available at all kitchens. Other flavours may be available. Please check the menu for your school!

Please Note: Menu offerings may vary from location to location. The Lunch Lady meets current nutritional guidelines for your province. Many kitchens offer Halal and vegetarian options and can modify their menus to accommodate your child’s special food needs. You just have to ask!