Students at Ottumwa High School and Evans Middle School have access to a fruit and vegetable bar daily as part of their school lunch offering. This is a buffet-style service, with salad components provided for students to assemble their own salads or add as sides to their lunch option.
Options include lettuce, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, celery, radishes, broccoli, green or red bell peppers, dried bread croutons, shredded cheese, and various types of salad dressing. Other options include food items such as turkey, chicken, ham, tuna, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, boiled eggs, cottage cheese, and an assortment of fresh, whole fruits.
"The fruit and veggie bar is very popular with the students," said Yvonne Johnson, Director of Food & Nutrition Services. "Students often utilize this feature everyday as their entire meal, but they can also add on to their regular plated meal at the fruit and veggie bar. Students really enjoy having a daily fresh option either as a side or as their main meal."