Bibb County School District’s Nutrition Department hosts 2nd annual Students’ Voices Help Make the Choices Student Food Show

“It lets them know that they are student leaders, that they have a voice at the table. It's just not a bunch of adults sitting in the office picking out what they have to eat for lunch," said Condus Shuman, Executive Director of School Nutrition for Bibb County School District.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County School District’s Nutrition Department hosted its 2nd annual Students’ Voices Help Make the Choices Student Food Show at the Central Georgia Technical College Gymnasium on Anthony Road on Tuesday.

A total of 326 students from 17 schools sampled and rated 35 different food items, ranging from barbecue to spaghetti, while watching live cooking demonstrations from some of the 22 vendors in attendance.

Condus Shuman, Executive Director of School Nutrition for Bibb County School District, says students are always excited for the event.

“We do it because we are here to serve the students. That is our number one customer in school nutrition,” said Shuman.

“It lets them know that they are student leaders, that they have a voice at the table. It’s not just a bunch of adults sitting in an office picking out what they have to eat for lunch. It’s actually them saying, ‘Yes, we do like this, we would like to see this served for both breakfast and lunch.’ It gives them a voice so that when we put it on the menu and they come through the line, they can say, ‘I made that decision. I helped make that choice,'” said Shuman.

“So actually, I was invited by my counselor. She was like, ‘Do you want to taste food for the school lunches?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s a great opportunity to help the next class under me,'” said Jayden Tolbert, Senior at Howard High School.

“I think everyone loves it—you know, just to eat some free food.”

“I love the spaghetti. There’s some good pizza. I heard that there was a little bit of a shortage, so some of the food’s cold, but I still love it.”

“There’s definitely some stores out here that need to get more recognition,” Tolbert added.

According to the Bibb County School District, student ratings will help the Nutrition Department decide which items will be served next school year. Parents will also get a chance to taste the students’ top picks at an upcoming event called Chat and Chew.