Last spring, Elsa Hammerman noticed something during lunch. Her favorite meal, roasted chicken, was gone from the menu. It had been removed from public schools in New York City to save money.

Elsa wrote a letter to a school official. She politely asked him to bring back her favorite meal. A few months later, Elsa got a big surprise. Roasted chicken was once again on the menu at her school, P.S./I.S. 187!

“I was so excited,” the 11-year-old says. “My friends and I always looked forward to the roasted chicken. And it was back!” 

Elsa soon learned that she could play an even bigger role in her cafeteria. She could help plan her school’s lunch menu! 

Last spring, Elsa Hammerman noticed something during lunch. Roasted chicken was gone from the school menu. That’s Elsa’s favorite meal. It had been removed from public schools in New York City. The reason was to save money.

Elsa wrote a letter. She sent it to a school official. She politely asked him to bring back her favorite meal. A few months later, Elsa got a big surprise. Roasted chicken was back on the menu at her school, P.S./I.S. 187!

“I was so excited,” the 11-year-old says. “My friends and I always looked forward to the roasted chicken. And it was back!” 

Elsa learned that she could play an even bigger role in her cafeteria. She could help plan her school’s lunch menu!

Thanks to Elsa’s letter, her class was invited to the New York City Public Schools test kitchen. That is where menus for the entire New York City school district are created. The district is the largest in the United States.

Hundreds of students visit the test kitchen each year. These kids have a big—and fun—job. They get to be food critics for the day. They help select the dishes that more than 912,000 students eat for lunch in New York City.

“It’s so important that kids have a say in what they’re served for lunch,” explains Nelson Quiles. He works for the New York City Public Schools Office of Food and Nutrition Services. 

Students sample four or five foods during each visit to the test kitchen. They vote on whether they like each one. Then they give feedback.

Quiles says it’s important for kids to give as many details as possible. 

“For instance, don’t just tell us it’s gross,” he explains. 

Elsa and her classmates tried a cheesy pasta dish called manicotti. Many of the students didn’t like it. Some said there was too much cheese. The class also tasted an egg sandwich. Overall, the kids liked that one. Though some of them thought the bread was soggy.

More than 1,500 kids try each new dish. Most of the students must like it for it to be served in cafeterias across the city. 

“We want to make sure the food is not only healthy but something kids actually want to eat,” Quiles explains.

Thanks to Elsa’s letter, her class got an invitation. It was to the New York City Public Schools test kitchen. That is where menus for the New York City school district are created. The district is the largest in the country.

Hundreds of students visit the test kitchen each year. These kids have a big and fun job. They get to be food critics. They help select dishes. More than 912,000 students in New York City will eat these dishes for lunch.

“It’s so important that kids have a say in what they’re served for lunch,” explains Nelson Quiles. He works for the New York City Public Schools Office of Food and Nutrition Services. 

Students try four or five foods. That’s during each visit to the test kitchen. They vote on whether they like each one. Then they give comments.

Quiles asks kids to give as many details as possible. 

“For instance, don’t just tell us it’s gross,” he explains. 

Elsa’s class tried manicotti. That’s a cheesy pasta dish. Many of the students didn’t like it. Some said there was too much cheese. The class also tasted an egg sandwich. Overall, the kids liked that one. But some thought the bread was soggy.

More than 1,500 kids try each new dish. Most of the students must like it for it to end up in cafeterias.

“We want to make sure the food is not only healthy but something kids actually want to eat,” Quiles explains.

This school year, the egg sandwich Elsa’s class reviewed was added to the lunch menu. But there was one big difference. The bread that some kids thought was soggy was gone. It had been replaced by a croissant.

“It was so cool,” Elsa says. “They actually listened to the suggestions. I hope they continue to listen to kids.”

This school year, the egg sandwich Elsa’s class tried was added to the lunch menu. But there was one big change. The bread that some kids thought was soggy? It was gone. It had been replaced by a croissant.

“It was so cool,” Elsa says. “They actually listened to the suggestions. I hope they continue to listen to kids.”