more schools are discovering the power of pizza!
Better variety means better participation
Students love pizza their way. So when schools offer a variety of pizza styles, sauces and toppings, the results are positive for everyone. Pop up Pizza Stations are gaining popularity across the region as an easy way for schools to satisfy students’ cravings and meet their nutritional needs at the same time.
Memorial High School in West New York, NJ recently celebrated “Pi Day” on March 14 by offering customizable pizza choices in “at least 3.14 different pizza” varieties. It’s not every day you can serve great pizza and teach about math at the same time!
Use these valuable resources, and rethink how you serve pizza! 
In a recent taste-test competition, these three awesome pizza recipes came out on top! Try them out and build some lunchtime excitement in your schools!
Our test kitchens have fired up pizza after pizza with one goal in mind: to help you “rethink pizza” and make it the most popular item on your school menu. Download any or all of these proven pizza ideas, as well as the recipe for sauce and plans for self-serve pizza bars.
Tasty Tidbits & Professional Pointers from Celebrity Chef
Serve it hot!- Try batch cooking!
- Keep kids interested and keep them coming back!
- Ask ’em what they want
- Use real low-fat cheese
- Try whole grain crust
- Create that ”Pizzeria” feeling
Who is Chef Jeff?
Chef Jeff Henderson, a nationally known culinary master, has worked with American Dairy Association North East as part of our effort to develop better pizza ideas for schools across the region. Here’s a quick look at his unique journey to success:
- First African American executive chef at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas
- Created three Food Network programs
- Ambassador of Disney Dreamers Academy, a motivational youth program
- Personally involved with Helping Hungry Homes initiative
- Works with national groups including Papa Johns, Disney, Duke University, California Pizza Kitchen, El Pollo Loco and The Salvation Army
- Attended Culinary Training School for inmates, where his passion for cooking changed his life
- 2001 Chef of the Year, American Food and Wine Tasting Federation
- Authored two best-selling books
- Established The Westside Group, a non-profit organization for troubled kids
- Inspirational speaker
Pizza is absolutely loaded with vitamins and nutrients kids need. And pizza can easily be prepared with ingredients that satisfy even the most progressive guidelines. Build delicious, nutritious pizzas with:
- Available in reduced-fat varieties
- Helps build strong bones and teeth
- Great source of:
Calcium- Protein
- Vitamins A, D, B12
- Riboflavin
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Magnesium
Whole Grain-Rich
- Crust meets USDA requirements when at least 50 percent is whole grain and remainder is enriched
- Important for kids’ growing bodies
- Rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber
- Reduce risk of chronic diseases
- Helps kids make healthier choices at home
- Still rich in flavor, without high sodium content
- Good source of antioxidants
- Rich in lycopene and other nutrients
- Good source of vitamins
- Low in calories
- High in antioxidants
