McKinney, Texas – School lunches have come a long way since the 1980s, when Gen Xers were slogging their way through the daily rigors of the school cafeteria. Long gone are the soy burgers, rock-hard tater tots and randomly thrown in sticks of government cheese.

In are items like this—which was named one of the Reader’s Choice Best K-12 School Meals in the country in this month’s issue of Food Management Magazine.

The MTO (Made-to-Order) Masher Bowl offered by McKinney ISD’s food service provider Aramark at MISD secondary schools, won a Reader’s Choice Award in Food Management Magazine for the best K-12 meals in the country. (Photo: Aramark)

The “MTO Masher Bowl”, which is offered in McKinney ISD secondary schools by district food service provider Aramark, is described in the feature as “a made-to-order loaded mashed potato bowl. We start with a mound of mashed potatoes and sweet corn then add the protein of choice – barbeque pulled pork or popcorn chicken. Top it off with favorites like gravy, bacon bits, cheddar cheese and green onions. Served with a buttermilk biscuit.”

“Aramark is proud to be given one of the Reader’s Choice Awards for serving Best K-12 School Meals in America by Food Management Magazine,” said Aramark Resident District Manager James Shoemake. “We are fortunate to have two executive chefs on staff here at MISD who continue to bring innovation and culinary expertise to our students daily.”

You can view MISD’s entry and the other winners of the Reader’s Choice Awards by clicking here.

All award-winning meals meet USDA requirements under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and are served as a reimbursable meal under the National School Lunch or Breakfast programs.

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