Miami-Dade Adding Healthier Choices To School Menus

John O'Connor / StateImpact Florida

A "lean and green" meal from the Miami-Dade schools test kitchen. This one has spinach lasagna, salad and a mozerella-stuffed bread stick.

Miami-Dade school meals are going lean and green this school year.

The district is adding smoothies made with Naked brand juices, greek yogurt and vegetarian lasagna.

But at an event Monday unveiling the new dishes, the district was most proud of their version of a Miami classic. The “guavalito” is a whole grain, lower sugar version of a guava and cheese pastry made by a local baker.

“This was developed right here by the staff,” said Penny Parham, the district’s director of food and nutrition, slicing open one of the pastries. “This is 100 calories; no trans fat. The added sugar is below 35 percent – it meets our district wellness policy.”

Guavalitos will be served as part of the district’s breakfast program, which serves a free meal to every student every school day.

It’s not quite as flaky as most pastelitos – a little chewier. And it’s not as sweet. But the guavalito is delicious.

John O'Connor / StateImpact Florida

Students will be able to grab a Naked brand juice with their meal.

Other new meals include spinach lasagna made with whole grain pasta, vegetarian wraps and two smoothies available for breakfast. Students will also be able to grab a Naked brand juice with their meal.

Parham said the district meals meet federal rules restricting salt and fat and that every meal comes with a choice of fruit and vegetable.

Miami-Dade schools serve more than 90,000 breakfasts and 200,000 lunches daily. The district hasn’t served a hot dog in seven years.