Making Salads.. The Student’s Choice! (1984)

This film explores the successful implementation of salad bars in elementary schools as a strategy to improve student nutrition and increase lunch participation rates. By adopting trends popularized by the fast-food industry—specifically the emphasis on fresh ingredients, variety, and the “finger food” appeal of dips—food service directors have successfully debunked the myth that children dislike vegetables. The program highlights how giving students the autonomy to choose their own meals fosters a sense of responsibility, significantly reduces food waste, and makes healthy eating an engaging, fun experience. Ultimately, the documentary emphasizes that through proper planning, taste-testing, and administrative support, salad bars serve as an economical and highly effective tool for modern school lunch programs. Essentially this is an ad for Hidden Valley Ranch dressing.

Keywords: school lunch, salad bars, nutrition, student participation, healthy eating, food service, vegetables, child development, dietary habits, fresh food, menu planning