Cape Henlopen School District Celebrates National School Lunch Week

Cape Henlopen School District is joining schools across the country in celebrating National School Lunch Week (October 13–17, 2025), highlighting the importance of healthy, balanced meals for students. This year’s theme, “Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport,” encourages students to explore global flavors and cultural connections, right from their school cafeterias.

Throughout the week, the district’s Child Nutrition Services team will host Super Sampler events at schools across the district. These fun, interactive tastings will feature small portions of internationally inspired menu items, offering students a chance to sample dishes such as roasted chickpeas, chicken empanadas, Brazilian cheese bites, hush puppies and more. Students will also have the opportunity to taste “Summer J. Artisan Ice Pops” throughout the week. Summer J. Pops is a local vendor who has created a frozen FDA approved smart snack. The all natural, vegan, gluten free, and dairy free pops are made with simple ingredients and nothing artificial. 

In addition, each cafeteria will be transformed into a mini “food passport” experience, complete with maps, themed decorations, and opportunities for students to “stamp” their passports each time they try a new dish.

The initiative is part of the district’s ongoing effort to promote healthy eating habits, expand students’ palates, and celebrate the diversity of its school community. By introducing new flavors in an engaging way, the district aims to make mealtime both nutritious and exciting. Students will also have the opportunity to share feedback on their favorite dishes, helping the Child Nutrition team explore new menu possibilities for future school lunches.

National School Lunch Week is an annual campaign led by the School Nutrition Association to recognize the vital role the National School Lunch Program plays in supporting student well-being and academic success. Each day, nearly 30 million children nationwide enjoy healthy school lunches, fueling learning and growth. This year’s “Taste the World” theme encourages districts to use global cuisine as a tool for cultural exploration and inclusion.

“We want our students to see that school lunch can be both healthy and adventurous,” said Stacy Smith, Child Nutrition Services Supervisor. “The Super Sampler events give them a chance to explore new foods and cultures while understanding that nutritious meals can come from anywhere in the world.” Smith also noted the importance of including the students when it comes to deciding what items they want to see in their cafeterias. “At Cape, we highly value student feedback. Hosting a district-wide sampling event allows us to better understand students’ preferences, so we can offer meals they enjoy while continuing to meet all nutritional and regulatory requirements.”

Cape is proud to celebrate the creativity, care, and commitment that go into every school meal, because when students eat well, they return to the classroom ready to think, explore, and achieve!