Chartwells K12’s top 10 kids food trends for 2024 are:
Dips – You can also customize snacks and meals with special flavors and textures to encourage kids to eat more vegetables. Bell peppers, carrots and broccoli are the perfect ingredients for roasted beet hummus, and Chartwells’ new homemade ‘House Special’ BBQ sauce adds dunkable flavor to your kids’ favorite chicken nuggets and sandwiches.
Learn more about food and beverage trends
As seen… – The TikTok takeover has spread to cafeterias, and Chartwells not only put a healthy spin on viral TikTok recipes, but also encouraged kids to get involved in the kitchen. Swap the baked feta pasta for spinach, bacon, and grape tomato penne or taco lasagna, or swap out the grinder for a Philadelphia steak sandwich, and kids will see their favorites on the menu and learn how to make their own. You can learn.
Mini Madness – Who said bigger is always better? Nowadays, it’s important to make the most of miniatures, as kids flock to mini-sized favorites like mini pancake bites and mini waffles with fresh fruit for breakfast and pulled BBQ pork sliders for lunch. .
Destination dining – Generation Alpha children continue to seek out meals that offer a global adventure, including unique ingredients, authentic flavors, and traditional recipes from around the world. He has a strong interest in Latin American and Asian cuisine, and his menu includes Caribbean chicken fricassee with tropical flavors and gochujang chicken lettuce cup, which recreates Korean cuisine.You can enjoy international cuisine just by waiting in the lunch line. Masu.
Drink it up! – Between the exciting variety of flavor combinations and creative presentations, specialty drinks are a top trend for kids and adults alike. Whether your kids are cooling down on the go with an avocado mango kale smoothie or warming up with a hot chocolate milk from Chartwells K12’s new culinary concept, the novelty associated with unique flavors and customizable options The fun doesn’t get any better than this.
Add some spice to your life – There’s nothing salty here, the spices heighten the flavor while keeping the salt low. Whether it’s kicking it up with a Thai Chicken & Noodle Salad or turning up the spiciness with a sweet twist in the Honey BBQ Sriracha King Grain Bowl, students can spice up their lives with flavors that can’t be beat! is ready to be added. .
Teens and their proteins – Forget meat, alternative proteins are here to stay. Driven by a collective commitment to personal health and the well-being of the planet, kids are seeing protein alternatives and vegetarian options as rising stars in cafeteria cuisine, with plant-based dishes like spicy avocado mushroom quesadillas and black bean soap Powered up with protein.
All noodles – Children love to try new foods, but they can’t deny themselves the beloved classics. From the more traditional Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese to the adventurous Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Bowl, noodles in any form are high on the list on the menu.
Keep it fresh – It’s always fashionable to eat local, seasonal food. Children build lasting connections with fresh, seasonal produce, whether grown in the school garden or from a nearby farm, and discover the journey from seed to cafeteria tray. doing. Through farm-to-school initiatives and partnerships with local farms, children have the opportunity to try dishes such as kale and cranberry salad, beef picadillo, and zucchini and golden squash casserole.
A little bit of this, a little bit of that – Plated food is very much 2023. Students are busier than ever and want to round out their meals with quick and healthy snacks that they can enjoy on the go. From grab-and-go favorites like soba noodle bento boxes to homemade pumpkin bars for an afternoon snack, your child will enjoy a variety of foods packed with the nutrients he needs to fuel his day.
Chartwells K12 leverages decades of experience and expertise in understanding children’s food preferences, as well as data from serving more than 2 million meals per day in school districts in nearly 40 states, to We’ve created a list of food trends for kids.
