By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – The St. Louis Public Schools' food service contractor is unveiling a new concept for school cafeterias across the city.
The Aramark company calls the new look of the Beaumont High School cafeteria the "U.B.U Lounge."
The updated cafeteria features bright paint, music, and an enhanced menu that officials say exceeds USDA nutritional guidelines.
The idea is to create a student-oriented atmosphere that promotes healthier eating.
Aramark's Dennis Brockman says food selections are based on teenagers' dining trends.
"We're able to look at the menu items that the students are choosing and also tracking our waste; which items they're not choosing," Brockman said. "So we can change our menu mix based on those items also."
Ten months ago, forty-five elementary students became ill after eating Aramark-supplied food. Brockman says the company continues to adhere to safety guidelines.
"All of our inspections by the health department, we have received an A' at every school, in every location," he said. "So that is something that we definitely look at and take care of everyday."
Aramark says its updated menu exceeds USDA guidelines.