Last Updated: March 19, 2025
LITTLE BITES, BIG TRENDS.
2024 KID MENU TRENDS
YOU CAN INCORPORATE INTO YOUR K-12 MENU.
#1. GLOBAL FLAVORS
Find ways to incorporate flavors and dishes from various countries around the world into your K-12 menu to make mealtime more adventurous! Whether recreating an authentic international dish or adding your own twist on a traditional cuisine, global flavors excite students and invite new school lunch trials.
WANT MORE GLOBAL FLAVOR INSPIRATION?
Watch Culinary Live: New School Eats to learn how you can bring trending global flavors to life in easy-to-execute, K-12 focused recipes.
#2. Play with your Food
Add some creativity to your K-12 menu with playful renditions of familiar foods! Make lunch a fun, interactive adventure for students, while also ensuring they get their nutrients in.
#3. APPS AS ENTREÉS
Dips and dunks, sliders, small bites and other finger foods double as yummy lunches for kids! Students can even mix and match different app items to personalize their own meals – plus, add dips and sauces for some flavor fun!
#4. CUSTOMIZABILITY
Kids love to do it themselves! Customization gives them a sense of independence and creativity. Give them the opportunity to customize their meals with different toppings or ingredients. Taco bars, salad bars and pizza stations are a great way to empower your students to craft their own meals, while relieving your staff!
#5. BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH
Kids love breakfast – at any time of day. Serve up the comfort of classic breakfast foods, such as eggs, bacon, french toast, fruit and yogurt, at lunch for a midday surprise they’ll love to find in their cafeteria!
