ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Young people can be picky eaters, that’s no surprise to the people who serve school lunches, it’s also a reason why the meals offered at public schools are constantly evolving.

On Thursday the place to find the latest items on school lunch menus was on the lower level of the Egan Center in Anchorage where the Alaska School Nutrition Association was holding its annual Food Show.

The Food Show wraps up the annual conference which attracts student nutrition heads from school districts across the state. The show gives them a chance to see what vendors from both inside and outside Alaska are offering as well as the latest trends.

“We are always looking to offer variety, expose kids to new and different foods, and of course demonstrating what a healthy meal could look like and should look like,” said Marci McGill, head of student nutrition for the Anchorage School District.

McGill said she prioritizes local ingredients when possible, but the district is also piloting one of the products offered at the show. A brand of chicken tenders that are plant-based.

Kristie Middleton with Rebellious Foods manufactures a product line that includes plant-based chicken nuggets, tenders, and patties.

“We are seeing a growing demand from students across the country who are interested in having familiar classic comfort foods but products that are better for the environment, better for their health, and better for animals,” Middleton said.

Some products featured at the food show don’t look obviously healthy but McGill said all must meet USDA guidelines for sodium and sugar as well as whole grains and other requirements. One vendor who was selling a range of meat-based products put it this way:

“It’s really changed where school nutrition is going. It’s a far cry from what we were seeing when we were in school.”

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