Around the World in 80 Trays

Around the World in 80 Trays

Around the World in 80 Trays is a state-wide event with the purpose of increasing global flavors in USDA School Meals Programs! DPI would like to acknowledge that food can do more than just nourish the body, but it can offer an invitation to explore the diverse cultures of Wisconsin students.

Join the School Nutrition Team and schools/districts across the state in this week-long culinary adventure, kicking off on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. What better way to celebrate the unique cultural backgrounds of students across the state than by remembering the legacy of MLK Jr. and his dream of equality and inclusion for all.

Global Meals from Wisconsin Schools

Siena Catholic Schools (Racine) traveled to Germany, China, Mexico, and Italy. Students tried orange chicken with fried rice, stir-fried veggies, and beef tacos with spicy salsa.

Mayville School District visited Israel and sampled homemade falafels and hummus.

Tri-County Area School District explored Asia with teriyaki chicken breast, quinoa, and brown rice (Korean BBQ style). They also sampled jackfruit!

Wisconsin Heights School District set sail for Ireland where students enjoyed beef shepherd’s pie. They also visited Mexico, Italy and Asia.

Reedsville School District served a Greek themed meal! The meal included chicken shawarma over rice, Greek salad, Greek yogurt dip with pita bread, and kiwi.

Our Lady Queen of Peace (Milwaukee) visited Poland, Thailand, and Ireland. Each meal included a flyer with information about each country.

The SNT would love to see how you added more global flavors to your school meals. Send us a picture and you could be featured on our website, social media pages, in our newsletters and/or bulletins. Who knows, you might even grab the attention of USDA!

Event Resources

• Tip Sheet for a Successful Event
• Logo (use with Around the World in 80 Trays communications)
• Stickers
• Social Media Post Ideas
• USDA MyPlate Graphic (available in 21 languages)

Menu/Recipe Resources

• Need menu ideas? Each school year the DPI SNT searches the globe to bring you a weeks-worth of delicious recipes that highlight five different countries or regions. Click the links below to access the menu planning worksheet, menu template, standardized recipes, and colorful promotional flyers for each school year.
  • SY 2020-21 Recipes (Greece, India, North Africa, Peru, Vietnam)
  • SY 2021-22 Recipes (Afghanistan, Norway, Sonoran Desert, Menomonie Tribe of WI, Oneida Nation of WI)
• Fast Recipe Ideas Includes dips from around the world.
• Serving Up Tradition: A Guide for School Food in Culturally Diverse Communities (Massachusetts Farm to School)
• Let's Cook, Wisconsin School Meals Rock Cycle Menus
• International Recipes (Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin)
• Let's Cook Healthy School Meals (Project Bread)
• Back to Basics: Culinary Workshop Recipes (John C. Stalker Institute)
• Culture and Food (USDA)
• Multicultural CACFP Recipes (USDA)

Educational Activity Resources

• World Map Activity Sheet This resource can be included with meals for students to mark off where their global cuisine originated.
• Breakfasts Around the World (USDA Team Nutrition) Take a trip around the world and explore what people in different countries may eat for breakfast.

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