This semester, the International School of San Antonio is proud to announce its new school-wide Lunch Program. In partnership with Chef Philippe Blanchin of France, ISSA is proud to be able to serve healthy lunches made from fresh ingredients. Mr. Blanchin currently works at the award-winning San Antonio French eatery, Brasserie Mon Chou Chou. Inspired by international schools around the world, ISSA is committed to providing meals made from scratch with a focus on diversity and balance. So far, students and staff have been served dishes such as quiche lorraine, taboulé, pasta carbonara, and pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce.
Through its lunch program, ISSA is committed to the overall growth of its students (both mentally and physically). As explained by Frontier in Nutrition Scientific Journal, “Childhood is a crucial period for the development of cognitive function, as the brain develops most rapidly at this stage… An ultraprocessed dietary pattern with high fat, sugar, and processed food in early childhood has been associated with lower scores in verbal ability and increased odds of mathematical difficulties.” There is also evidence to support a correlation between high amounts of ultra-processed foods and increased ADHD in children, among other health conditions. Physically, a nutrient-dense lunch provides students with the energy they need to participate and thrive in P.E. and extracurricular activities throughout the school day.
It is no secret that many of the foods children eat in American schools are ultra-processed. In fact, the American Medical Association estimates, “67% of children’s daily calories come from relatively empty ultraprocessed foods.” While these foods are both convenient and appealing to children, they often lack vital nutrients and are filled with additives. Schools around the world have been feeding their students this way for decades. In Finland, vegetables cover nearly half of the lunch plates, Italian school lunches are mostly organic, and in Chile, the ingredients are sourced from local producers whenever possible.
At ISSA, families receive a menu and have the choice to sign up for a month or the full school year. One month into the program and parents are already seeing positive results: “My student is becoming a healthier, more adventurous eater.” The cost per meal (including a starter, main dish, side, dairy, and dessert) is $9. This price is set to decrease as more students sign up.
We are thrilled to be able to offer this program to students and staff. Bon Appétit!
Take a look at one of our MENUS
For more information about our lunch program, please contact info@issatx.org.
