Something fun is happening in the cafeterias at North Augusta Elementary, RSM Elementary, North Aiken Elementary, and J.D. Lever Elementary starting the week of February 24th when students will have the opportunity to experience a brand new program called “Mood Boost!” Designed to help students make the connection between what they eat and how they feel, Mood Boost brings new lunch menu items and a collection of characters called “Moodies” into the cafeteria. This program will take place over seven weeks, where students will focus on one mood per week after the kickoff event.
Emerging research has shown that the foods we eat the most often may have an effect on how we feel, not just physically, but mentally. When eaten regularly, Mood Boost foods, especially nutrient rich fruit and vegetables, can help to elevate a person’s mood and enhance or sense of well-being. These foods contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that communicate with our brain to support personal characteristics such as happy, alert, strong, smart, calm and confident. This is the foundation for Mood Boost!
For nearly a year, Chartwells chefs and dietitians worked together to create Mood Boost specifically for elementary- and middle-school students and we’re excited to launch it at our school! The seven-week program includes new menu items that feature exciting and delicious mood-boosting ingredients, in addition to:
A kickoff event the week of February 24th during lunchtime that introduces students to the different Moodies, and gives them an opportunity to tray a Mood Boost recipe!
The "Moodies", a series of six fun and engaging characters to help younger students recognize their different moods: Alert, Calm, Confident, Happy, Smart, and Strong.
Recipes kids love that prominently feature at least one significant ingredient per mood. For example, Cinnamon Roasted Pineapple (Alert); Black Bean Corn Salsa (Calm); Sweet & Spicy Sweet Potatoes (Strong); and much more!
Giveaways including collectible trading cards that feature the Moodies, information about key ingredients supporting each mood and recipes kids and families can make at home.
See the Mood Boost Calendar below:
