Embedded Files
In partnership with the above organizations, we hold taste tests in Portland's school cafeterias. They are used to help guide menu development, introduce new flavors, and showcase local produce and products.
May 2023 Taste Test- Wild Blueberries
Ocean Ave. Elementary School
Ocean Ave. Voting Results
192 students voted I Loved it!
53 students thought "it was okay"
27 students said it was "not for me"
A poster about wild Maine blueberries!
Youth Programs staff from Cultivating Community helped out at the taste test.
VOTING!
Students choose between "I loved it!" "it was okay" and "not for me"
On May 23rd, students at Ocean Ave. Elementary taste tested wild blueberry bread made by Central Kitchen!
On May 23rd, students at Ocean Ave. Elementary taste tested wild blueberry bread made by Central Kitchen!
More materials to look at as kids waited in line for lunch.
Sorting lunch waste into the appropriate bins.
Thank you Ocean Ave. Elementary!
Thank you Ocean Ave. Elementary!
May 2023 Taste Test- Wild Blueberries
Rowe Elementary School
Rowe Voting Results
198 students voted I Loved it!
32 students thought "it was okay"
20 students said it was "not for me"
Sharing materials about wild blueberries and how they are different from high bush blueberries and native to Maine!
We highlighted the Passamaquoddy Wild Blue Berry Co. PPS Food Service purchases their wild blueberries throughout the year.
VOTING!
Thank you Rowe School!
Thank you Rowe School!
April and May 2023 Taste Test - Haddock Fish Sticks
Gerald E. Talbot Community School
Talbot Voting Results
134 students voted I Loved it!
48 students thought "it was okay"
41 students said it was "not for me"
Acadian Redfish
Ceramic flounders, scallop shell, nets and stickers!
On May 2nd, students at Talbot taste tested haddock fish sticks from Red's Best during lunch! Our friends from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute joined to bring additional knowledge and resources.
On May 2nd, students at Talbot taste tested haddock fish sticks from Red's Best during lunch! Our friends from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute joined to bring additional knowledge and resources.
Chatting about fish with Sophie from GMRI
Checking out a scallop shell with barnacles
Haddock (image from GMRI)
Students enjoyed the fish sticks and told stories about ice fishing, fishing, and the ways their families enjoy eating fish at home. Kids mentioned salmon and monkfish among their favorite fish to eat. One student talked about enjoying Korean seaweed over rice.
Students enjoyed the fish sticks and told stories about ice fishing, fishing, and the ways their families enjoy eating fish at home. Kids mentioned salmon and monkfish among their favorite fish to eat. One student talked about enjoying Korean seaweed over rice.
Thank you Gerald E. Talbot Community School!
Thank you Gerald E. Talbot Community School!
April and May 2023 Taste Test - Haddock Fish Sticks
Presumpscot Elementary School
Presumpscot Voting Results
124 students voted I Loved it!
26 students thought "it was okay"
19 students said it was "not for me"
Fish sticks baking along with the day's meal: chicken drumsticks!
On April 25th, students at Presumpscot taste tested haddock fish sticks from Red's Best during lunch! Our friends from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute helped make this a very educational lunch!
On April 25th, students at Presumpscot taste tested haddock fish sticks from Red's Best during lunch! Our friends from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute helped make this a very educational lunch!
Talking about haddock and the abundance of food in the Gulf of Maine.
Haddock (image from GMRI)
A slideshow played throughout lunch, highlighting different species of sustainable fish from the Gulf of Maine. There were also short videos about trawling, lobstering, alewives and more!
Voting!
Students overwhelmingly enjoyed the fish sticks! Many kids shared how their families prepare fish at home and what other types of fish they enjoy.
Thank you Presumpscot Elementary!
Thank you Presumpscot Elementary!
March 2023 Taste Test - Cheese Curds
March 2023 Taste Test - Cheese Curds
Lyseth School
Lyseth Voting Results
218 students voted I Loved it!
63 students thought "it was okay"
53 students said it was "not for me"
Kids remembered seeing the cheese curds in the chef salad the week prior.
Cheese curds were a welcome addition to the chicken tenders and vegan tenders served that day!
A student taking in the voting board before casting a vote.
Lyseth voting boards at Boyd St. Gardens
Thank you Lyseth School!
Thank you Lyseth School!
Longfellow School
Longfellow Voting Results
136 students voted I Loved it!
32 students thought "it was okay"
24 students said it was "not for me"
Look for cheese curds on the salad bar on March 16th!
Cheese curds are rich in protein, making them a great addition to school lunch!
Collecting Votes!
Longfellow students made it very clear that they approve of cheese curds!
We had fun talking with kids about the cheese making process and where curds are formed within that process.
Thank You Longfellow School!
Thank You Longfellow School!
February 2023 Taste Tests- Sweet Potato
East End Community School
East End Voting Results
155 students voted I Loved it!
49 students thought "it was okay"
46 students said it was "not for me"
On February 14th, students at East End taste tested sweet potato during lunch!
On February 14th, students at East End taste tested sweet potato during lunch!
East End's serving line looked extra special for Valentines Day!
We gave out FoodCorps Valentines while supplies lasted. During lunch kids were also making valentines to appreciate what they like about their school.
Passing out samples
Passing out samples
Educational materials about sweet potatoes as well as examples of other root vegetables like beet, turnip, yucca, and carrot.
Cafeteria lead, Heather, exploring some other root veggies with students.
Passing out Valentines
Passing out Valentines
Collecting votes
Quotes:
"We've eaten this in Angola! It tastes the same and I love it!"
"My mom makes this! She boils it with sugar"
Thank you East End Community School!
Thank you East End Community School!
Reiche Community School
Reiche Voting Results
160 students voted I Loved it!
50 students thought "it was okay"
45 students said it was "not for me"
On February 7th, students at Reiche taste tested sweet potato during lunch!
On February 7th, students at Reiche taste tested sweet potato during lunch!
Kids got to see some examples of root vegetables and see which ones they could name!
Students were surprised to see what a beautiful flower the sweet potato plant can produce.
We had extra sweet potato, so many kids got additional servings.
Can you name all of these root vegetables?
Voting!
Thank You Reiche School!
Quotes from Reiche
Quotes from Reiche
"My sister makes fries out of sweet potato." "I love it!"
"It was okay, but I'll give you some points because it was sweet."
"I like sweet potatoes in desserts."
January 2023 Taste Tests- Chicken and Kale Stew
Presumpscot Elementary School
Presumpscot Voting Results
63 students voted I Loved it!
22 students thought "it was okay"
29 students said it was "not for me"
On January 31st, students at Presumpscot taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
On January 31st, students at Presumpscot taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
Chatting about some of the ingredients in the stew: cumin, nutmeg, garlic!
Voting!
Quotes from Presumpscot
Quotes from Presumpscot
"It was really good!" "It's the best"
"I like it because I like chicken"
Thank You Presumpscot School!
Lyseth Elementary School
Lyesth Voting Results
129 students voted I Loved it!
51 students thought "it was okay"
41 students said it was "not for me"
Kids at Lyseth were very enthusiastic about trying this dish! We ran out of sampling cups but will be more prepared next time!
On January 31st, students at Lyseth taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
On January 31st, students at Lyseth taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
Quotes from Lyseth
Quotes from Lyseth
"I can't wait to see this on the menu!"
Thank You Lyseth School!
Rowe Elementary School
Rowe Voting Results
91 students voted I Loved it!
55 students thought "it was okay"
37 students said it was "not for me"
On January 10th, students at Rowe taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
On January 10th, students at Rowe taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
Some kids at first decline a sample, but later come up and ask for one. Thank you for your willingness to try something different, Rowe students!
Thank you Susanne for helping with the taste test and thank you Rosie, Maggie & Mark for welcoming us in the cafeteria!
Quotes from Rowe
Quotes from Rowe
"Too sweet." "I ate 7!"
"I'm not much of a vegetable person."
"It smells good."
"Too many flavors."
"It hits you with the kale, like, you are literally eating kale."
"I've been here since Kindergarten and this is the best meal I've had!"
Thank You Rowe School!
Longfellow Elementary School
Longfellow Voting Results
94 students voted I Loved it!
56 students thought "it was okay"
45 students said it was "not for me"
On January 10th, students at Longfellow taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
On January 10th, students at Longfellow taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
Some difficult circumstances almost halted the taste test. Thank you Nick, Liza, and Longfellow staff for making it happen!
Quotes from Longfellow
Quotes from Longfellow
"Stop eating the stickers!" - Lunch Aide
Thank You Longfellow School!
December 2022 Taste Tests- Chicken and Kale Stew
Ocean Ave. Elementary School
Ocean Ave. Voting Results
96 students voted I Loved it!
58 students thought "it was okay"
41 students said it was "not for me"
On December 13th, students at Ocean Ave. taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
On December 13th, students at Ocean Ave. taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
On the menu, the stew will be served with brown rice.
Students got to try a sample of Chicken and Kale Stew and then vote about how they feel about it.
Quotes from Ocean
Quotes from Ocean
“I loved this because it tasted like something new and something I had before”
“It tastes like what we eat for dinner”
“I have home lunch, but I’ll ask my parents if I can get school lunch on Thursday”
“This tastes like fufu and pondu” (a Congolese cassava leaf stew)
Thank You Ocean Ave Elementary School!
Gerald E. Talbot Community School
Talbot Voting Results
84 students voted I Loved it!
45 students thought "it was okay"
28 students said it was "not for me"
On December 13th, students at Talbot taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
On December 13th, students at Talbot taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
It can take multiple times of trying a new food for kids to enjoy it. Taste tests are a low-barrier way to experience a new food.
We always encourage honest feedback whether it's negative or positive.
We also ask kids to elaborate on their voting decision.
Many kids connected the stew to food they have at home.
East End Community School
East End Voting Results
106 students voted I Loved it!
64 students thought "it was okay"
33 students said it was "not for me"
On December 6th, students at East End taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
On December 6th, students at East End taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
The stew is tomato- based with flavors of cumin, nutmeg, garlic, and onion.
Some students came back for seconds, thirds and more! We made sure to let kids know that it will be on the school menu on Dec. 15th!
Quotes from East End
Quotes from East End
"It's not spicy and I loved it!" "I really like it, it's delicious!"
"My mom makes this!" "I am from Sudan and I loved it"
"Great! Sweet, lovely flavor"- staff member
A special thank you to all of the staff at East End for your enthusiasm and for encouraging kids to try it.
Thank You East End Community School!
Reiche Community School
Reiche Voting Results
118 students voted I Loved it!
55 students thought "it was okay"
35 students said it was "not for me"
On December 6th, students at Reiche taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
On December 6th, students at Reiche taste tested a North African Chicken and Kale Stew. Check out the voting results!
The stew is tomato- based with flavors of cumin, nutmeg, garlic, and onion.
Quotes from Reiche
Quotes from Reiche
"Oh it's from Africa! That's why I love it so much. My family is from there"
"I'd give it an 8/10". "I love love love loved it!" "I ate 10!"
"My mom makes it with hot sauce".
"Can you make fufu to go with it? It's really not that hard. My mom is from Angola and this is similar to the chicken soup she makes sometimes."
This item will be on the menu on Dec 15th!
Thank You Reiche Community School!
November 2022 Taste Tests
139 students voted I Loved it!
47 students thought "it was okay"
25 students said it was "not for me"
On November 15th, students at Longfellow School taste tested coleslaw. Check out the voting results!
On November 15th, students at Longfellow School taste tested coleslaw. Check out the voting results!
Central Kitchen sourced kale from Green Meadow Farms in Mapleton, ME.
Kids got to check out some other veggies from the brassica family!
After everyone had the opportunity to try the coleslaw, we offered seconds. We had no coleslaw leftover!
99 students voted I Loved it!
61 students thought "it was okay"
65 students said it was "not for me"
On November 8th, students at Rowe School taste tested a kale & orange salad. Check out the voting results!
On November 8th, students at Rowe School taste tested a kale & orange salad. Check out the voting results!
Central Kitchen sourced kale from Two Farmers Farm in Scarborough.
Kids got to check out some other veggies from the brassica family up close and take home a recipe for a kale salad.
Kids got to check out some other veggies from the brassica family up close and take home a recipe for a kale salad.
Voting!
Voting!
Thank you Rowe School!
Thank you Rowe School!
Hello, My name is Mercia. I help run the taste test in the Portland Public Schools along with Food Fuels Learning VISTA, Zoe this year! Please scroll through this page to see all the awesome programming that is happening!
May High School Taste Test
May High School Taste Test
This May, high school students from Deering, Portland, and Casco Bay got to taste test a newly designed menu item at their school during lunch! Students enjoyed chicken and kale stew over rice.
Casco Bay High School
Casco Bay High School
Deering High School
Deering High School
Portland High School
Portland High School
May Taste Test
May Taste Test
In May students at Presumpscot & Lyseth elementary school tried Maine blueberries from Wyman's!
Lyseth Elementary School Taste Test
Lyseth Elementary School Taste Test
Students at Lyseth elementary school took votes on the blueberry muffin, check out how voting went!
Voting: 224 student voted I Loved It, 79 students voted It Was Okay, and 41 students voted Not For Me during their taste test practice. Take a look at the graph below!
Presumpscot Elementary School Taste Test
Presumpscot Elementary School Taste Test
Students at Presumpscot elementary school took votes on the blueberry muffin, check out how voting went!
Voting: 97 student voted I Loved It, 21 students voted It Was Okay, and 32 students voted Not For Me during their taste test practice. Take a look at the graph below!
April High School Taste Test
April High School Taste Test
This April, high school students from Deering, Portland, and Casco Bay got to taste test a newly designed menu item at their school during lunch!
The Portland Public Schools Food Service department, in partnership with local nonprofits and consultants, including Cultivating Community, FoodCorps, Cumberland County Food Security Council (CCFSC), Good Shepherd Food Bank, Khadija Ahmed, Chef Samantha Cowens-Gasbarro and the University of Southern Maine (USM), is working to introduce culturally important menu items to the school lunch options served at the district’s high schools.
Students enjoyed stewed chickpeas, chicken and yellow rice repaired by high school lunch staff from all three PP high schools: Deering High School, Casco Bay High School, and Portland High School with the help of Khadija Ahmed & Chef Samantha Cowens-Gasbarro.
March High School Taste Test
March High School Taste Test
This March, high school students from Deering, Portland, and Casco Bay got to taste test a newly designed menu item at their school during lunch!
Students enjoyed smashed kidney beans, seasoned beef, and cabbage slaw, an eastern-central African dish derived from nations such as Sudan and South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Congo, among many others.
Check read these two posters to learn more about how this dinner was implemented and the project in general!
Casco Bay High School Taste Test
Casco Bay High School Taste Test
Deering High School Taste Test
Deering High School Taste Test
Portland High School Taste Test
Portland High School Taste Test
March Taste Test
March Taste Test
In March 16th students at Ocean Avenue elementary school and on March 31st students at Rowe elemantary school tried breaded fish from Red's Best!
Rowe Elementary School Taste Test
Rowe Elementary School Taste Test
Students at Rowe elementary school took votes on the bread fish, check out how voting went!
Voting: 173 student voted I Loved It, 43 students voted It Was Okay, and 26 students voted Not For Me during their taste test practice. Take a look at the graph below!
Ocean Elementary School Taste Test
Ocean Elementary School Taste Test
Students at Ocean elementary school took votes on the bread fish, check out how voting went!
Voting: 123 student voted I Loved It, 40 students voted It Was Okay, and 12 students voted Not For Me during their taste test practice. Take a look at the graph below!
January Taste Test
January Taste Test
In January students at Talbot elementary & East End Community school tried potatoes from Green Thumb Farm!
East End Community School Taste Test
East End Community School Taste Test
East End Community school student took votes on the potato. Voting: 174 said I Loved It, 55 said It was okay, and 35 said Not For Me during their taste test practice. Take a look at the graph below!
Talbot Elementary School Taste Test
Talbot Elementary School Taste Test
Tablbot student took votes on the potato. Voting: 112 voted I Loved It, 42 voted It was okay, and 30 voted Not For Me during their taste test practice. Take a look at the graph below!
December Taste Test
December Taste Test
In December students at Lyseth elementary school tried Winter Squash from Spear's Farm
Lyseth student took votes on the squash!
Students Voted: I loved it, it was okay, not for me during their taste test practice. Take a look at the graph below!
November Taste Test
November Taste Test
In November, Reiche elementary school tried cabbage from Leary Farm!
October Taste Test
October Taste Test
In October, Talbot Elementary School tried potatoes grown in their school garden by students!
September Taste Test
September Taste Test
In September, East End Community School tried tomatoes from Liberation farm. Learn more about Liberation Farm!
Page updated
Report abuse