Washougal’s new lunch program diversifies cafeteria options

Washougal — Washougal High School has brought in Sodexo’s Taste4 lunch program to liven up food options for students. The program used insight from student focus groups around the country to create a menu with more worldly flavors. “It was developed for students by students,” Mark Jasper, Washougal School District Nutrition Services director, said in a release. “Results showed that having fresh food, flavorful options, and spending time with friends in a fun environment are the most important elements to the school lunch experience.” The program also eliminated long cafeteria tables with benches and replaced them with round tables and separate chairs. The new lunch program has more grab-and-go options and do-it-yourself stations, along with options inspired by cultures around the world. Taste4 also uses an app that allows parents and students to see what’s on the menu at school and provides nutritional and allergen information about the food.