Grab and Go Style Meal Service Resources for Schools

Written collaboratively by Paige Pappadackis and Kaila Weihe under the direction of Jennifer Folliard and Francesca Benson.

School administrators and nutrition professionals throughout the state are responding to the need to serve meals to children while school is out of session. School nutrition professionals are still required to offer meals that are balanced and meet nutritional guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Many schools have moved to a “to-go” or “grab and go” style of service to abide by social distancing guidelines. SDSU Extension has created resources for menus and healthy food options in each food group to encourage the consumption of healthy foods for the “grab and go” serving style.

Below is a list of meal ideas and the different food groups to assist with menu development for Grab&Go style of food service. 

Meal Ideas

  • Whole grain (WG) sandwich or WG sub
    • Deli meat sandwich (turkey, chicken, ham, roast beef, pepperoni)
    • Italian
    • Egg salad
    • Tuna salad
    • Chicken salad
    • PB & J
  • Wraps
    • Caesar 
    • Deli meat wrap (turkey, chicken, ham, roast beef, pepperoni)
  • Salads
    • Chef salad
    • Strawberry chicken salad
    • Caesar
  • Crackers + sliced meat + sliced cheese
  • Uncrustable PB & J
  • Yogurt parfait (Greek yogurt + WG granola + fruit)
  • Bagel basket 
  • Hummus + veggie + WG crackers
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Make your own pizza (similar to a Lunchable)

Individual Component Ideas

Grains

  • WG bread
  • WG bagels 
  • WG wraps/pitas
  • Pretzels, Wheat Thins, WG crackers, Triscuits  

Protein

  • Meat/deli meat
  • Peanut butter/nut butters
  • Hummus
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Cheese sticks/shredded/sliced cheese
  • Nuts/seeds/trail mix
  • Yogurt/Greek yogurt
  • Meat sticks
  • Garbanzo beans/hummus
  • Beans

Fruit 

  • Banana
  • Kiwi
  • Apple
  • Orange/clementine's
  • Grapes
  • Pears
  • Peaches
  • Any canned fruit in 100% Juice – peaches, pears, mandarin oranges
  • Fruit cups in 100% juice or water
  • Fruit juices, 100% Juice

Vegetables by Subgroup

  • Dark green vegetables
    • Romaine lettuce
    • Spinach
    • Broccoli florets
  • Red/orange vegetables
    • Carrots
    • Red/orange peppers
    • Salsa
      • Tomatoes – grape, slices
  • Starchy vegetables
    • Corn
    • Green peas
    • Potatoes – potato salad
  • Beans/peas
    • Black beans
    • Garbanzo beans

Other Vegetables

  • Cauliflower florets
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • Olives
  • Pickles
  • Radishes
  • Sugar snap peas

Four-Week Menu Cycles

This is a 4-week meal plan for K-8 and 9-12. All four weeks are the same between the two grade levels except 9-12 may have more food added on. There is also a list of vegetables split into subgroups that work well with Grab&Go options.

K-8 Lunch Menu Week 1
 
Day 1
Italian Wrap
Day 2
Chef Salad
Day 3
Bagel Basket
Day 4
Banana Parfait  
Day 5
Tuna Salad Sandwich
Components
Meat/Meat Alternatives
(1 oz. eq. daily min)		 Pepperoni, Ham, Sliced or Shredded Cheese Ham, Shredded Cheese Vanilla Greek Yogurt, Cheese Stick Vanilla Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad
Grains
(1 oz. eq. daily min)		 WG Wrap WG Breadstick WG Bagel WG Granola WG Bread
Fruits
(½ cup daily min)		 Peaches Pineapple Apple Banana Grapes
Vegetables  
(¾ cup daily min)

Dark Green
(½ cup/week)

 - Romaine Lettuce - - Romaine Lettuce (side salad)

Red/Orange
(¾ cup/week)

 Red/Orange Pepper Sticks - Grape Tomatoes Carrot Sticks Shredded Carrot Sticks

Beans
(½ cup/week)

 - Black Beans - - -

Starchy
(½ cup/week)

 - Corn - - -

Other Vegetables
(½ cup/week)

 Cauliflower Florets - Cucumbers Celery Sticks Radishes

Additional
(1 cup/week)

 Pickles - - - -
Other Foods

Milk
(1 cup/day)

 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored,
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored
= 1 cup

Condiments

 Mayo Packet/Ranch Ranch Cream Cheese Ranch Ranch

Weekly Goals:

  • Meat/Meat Alternatives: 9 oz. eq.
  • Grains: 8- 9 oz. eq.
  • Fruits: 2 ½ cups
  • Vegetables: 3 ¾ cups with vegetable subgroups minimums met
  • Fluid Milk: 5 cups – 1 cup/day

K-8 Lunch Menu Week 2
 
Day 1 
Turkey & Cheese Sub
Day 2
Chef Salad
Day 3 
Berry Parfait
Day 4
Ham & Cheese Wrap
Day 5
Bean & Cheese Nachos
Components
Meat/Meat Alternatives
(1 oz. eq. daily min)		 Turkey, Sliced Cheese Egg, Shredded Cheese Vanilla Greek Yogurt Ham, Sliced or Shredded Cheese Shredded Cheese
Grains
(1 oz. eq. daily min)		 WG Sub WG Breadstick WG Granola WG Wrap Tortilla Chips
Fruits
(½ cup daily min)		 Banana Clementine's Blueberries, Strawberries Grapes Apple
Vegetables
(¾ cup daily min)
Dark Green
(½ cup/week)		 - Romaine Lettuce - - -
Red/Orange
(¾ cup/week)		 Grape Tomatoes - Carrot sticks Red/Orange Pepper Sticks Salsa
Beans
(½ cup/week)		 - Crunchy garbanzo beans - - Black Beans
Starchy
(½ cup/week)		 - - - Potato Salad -
Other Vegetables
(½ cup/week)		 Cucumbers - Celery Sticks - -
Additional
(1 cup/week)		 Pickles - - - Olives
Other Foods
Milk
(1 cup/day)		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored   Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup
Condiments Mayo Packet/Ranch Ranch Ranch Mayo Packet/Ranch -

Weekly Goals:

  • Meat/Meat Alternatives: 9 oz. eq.
  • Grains: 8- 9 oz. eq.
  • Fruits: 2 ½ cups
  • Vegetables: 3 ¾ cups with vegetable subgroups minimums met
  • Fluid Milk: 5 cups – 1 cup/day

K-8 Lunch Menu Week 3
 
Day 1
Sunflower Butter & Jelly Sandwich
Day 2
Taco in a Bag
Day 3
Chef Salad
Day 4
Roast Beef Wrap
Day 5
Make Your Own Pizza Bagel
Components
Meat/Meat Alternatives
(1 oz. eq. daily min)		 Sunflower Butter, Cheese Stick Black Beans, Shredded Cheese Turkey, Shredded Cheese Roast Beef, Sliced Cheese Turkey Pepperoni, Shredded Cheese
Grains
(1 oz. eq. daily min)		 WG Bread Baked Doritos Wheat Thin Crackers WG Wrap WG Bagel
Fruits
(½ cup daily min)		 Applesauce Pears Banana Kiwi Mandarin Oranges
Vegetables
(¾ cup daily min)
Dark Green
(½ cup/week)		 Broccoli Florets Shredded Lettuce Romaine Lettuce - -
Red/Orange
(¾ cup/week)		 Carrot Sticks Salsa - Tomato Slices Tomato sauce
Beans
(½ cup/week)		 - - Crunchy Garbanzo Beans - -
Starchy
(½ cup/week)		 - Corn - - -
Other Vegetables
(½ cup/week)		 - Olives - Cucumbers Snap Peas
Additional
(1 cup/week)		 - - - Pickles -
Other Foods
Milk
(1 cup/day)		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup
Condiments Jelly, Ranch Sour Cream Ranch Light Mayo Packet -

Weekly Goals:

  • Meat/Meat Alternatives: 9 oz. eq.
  • Grains: 8- 9 oz. eq.
  • Fruits: 2 ½ cups
  • Vegetables: 3 ¾ cups with vegetable subgroups minimums met
  • Fluid Milk: 5 cups – 1 cup/day

K-8 Lunch Menu Week 4
 
Day 1
Eggs
Day 2
Strawberry Parfait
Day 3
Taco Salad
Day 4
PB Banana Sandwich
Day 5
English Muffin
Components
Meat/Meat Alternatives
(1 oz. eq. daily min)		 Hard Boiled Eggs, Cheese Stick Vanilla Greek yogurt Shredded Cheese Peanut Butter, Cheese Stick Greek Yogurt
Grains
(1 oz. eq. daily min)		 WG Pretzels WG granola Baked Doritos WG Bread WG English muffin
Fruits
(½ cup daily min)		 Apple Strawberries Pears Banana Kiwi
Vegetables
(¾ cup daily min)
Dark Green
(½ cup/week)		 - - Romaine Lettuce - Broccoli Florets
Red/Orange
(¾ cup/week)		 Carrot Sticks - - Grape Tomatoes Bell Peppers
Beans
(½ cup/week)		 Hummus - Black Beans - -
Starchy
(½ cup/week)		 - - Corn - -
Other Vegetables
(½ cup/week)		 - Cucumbers, Cauliflower Florets - Snap Peas -
Additional
(1 cup/week)		 - - - - -
Other Foods
Milk
(1 cup/day)		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored 
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup
Condiments - Ranch Sour Cream Ranch Ranch, PB, or Cream Cheese

Weekly Goals:

  • Meat/Meat Alternatives: 9 oz. eq.
  • Grains: 8- 9 oz. eq.
  • Fruits: 2 ½ cups
  • Vegetables: 3 ¾ cups with vegetable subgroups minimums met
  • Fluid Milk: 5 cups – 1 cup/day

Grades 9-12 Lunch Menu Week 1
 
Day 1
Italian Wrap
Day 2
Chef Salad
Day 3
Bagel Basket
Day 4
Banana Parfait  
Day 5
Tuna Salad Sandwich
Components
Meat/Meat Alternatives
(2 oz. eq. daily min)		 Pepperoni, Ham, Sliced or Shredded Cheese Ham, Shredded Cheese Vanilla Greek Yogurt, Cheese Stick Vanilla Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad
Grains
(2 oz. eq. daily min)		 WG Wrap WG Breadstick WG Bagel Granola WG Bread
Fruits
(1 cup daily min)		 Peaches Pineapple Apple Banana Grapes
Vegetables  
(1 cup daily min)

Dark Green
(½ cup/week)

 - Romaine Lettuce - - Romaine Lettuce (side salad)

Red/Orange
(1 ¼ cup/week)

 Red/Orange Pepper Sticks - Grape Tomatoes Carrot Sticks Shredded Carrot Sticks

Beans
(½ cup/week)

 - Black Beans - - -

Starchy
(½ cup/week)

 - Corn - - -

Other Vegetables
(¾ cup/week)

 Cauliflower Florets - Cucumbers Celery Sticks Radishes

Additional
(1 ½ cup/week)

 Pickles - - - -
Other Foods

Milk
(1 cup/day)

 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored,
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored
= 1 cup

Condiments

 Ranch Ranch Cream Cheese/Ranch Ranch Ranch

Weekly Goals:

  • Meat/Meat Alternatives: 10- 12 oz. eq.
  • Grains: 10-12 oz. eq.
  • Fruits: 5 cups
  • Vegetables: 5 cups with vegetable subgroups minimums met
  • Fluid Milk: 5 cups – 1 cup/day

Grades 9-12 Lunch Menu Week 2
 
Day 1 
Turkey & Cheese Sub
Day 2
Chef Salad
Day 3 
Berry Parfait
Day 4
Ham & Cheese Wrap
Day 5
Bean & Cheese Nachos
Components
Meat/Meat Alternatives
(2 oz. eq. daily min)		 Turkey, Sliced Cheese Egg, Shredded Cheese Vanilla Greek Yogurt Ham, Sliced or Shredded Cheese Shredded Cheese
Grains
(2 oz. eq. daily min)		 WG Bread WG Breadstick WG Granola WG Wrap Tortilla Chips
Fruits
(1 cup daily min)		 Banana Clementines Blueberries, Strawberries Grapes Apple
Vegetables
(1 cup daily min)
Dark Green
(½ cup/week)		 - Romaine Lettuce - Broccoli -
Red/Orange
(1 ¼ cup/week)		 Grape Tomatoes - Carrot sticks Red/Orange Pepper Sticks Salsa
Beans
(½ cup/week)		 - Crunchy garbanzo beans - - Black Beans
Starchy
(½ cup/week)		 - - - Potato Salad -
Other Vegetables
(¾ cup/week)		 Cucumbers - Celery Sticks - -
Additional
(1 ½ cup/week)		 Pickles - - - Olives
Other Foods
Milk
(1 cup/day)		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored   Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup
Condiments Mayo Packet/Ranch Ranch Ranch Mayo Packet/Dressing -

Weekly Goals:

  • Meat/Meat Alternatives: 10- 12 oz. eq.
  • Grains: 10-12 oz. eq.
  • Fruits: 5 cups
  • Vegetables: 5 cups with vegetable subgroups minimums met
  • Fluid Milk: 5 cups – 1 cup/day

Grades 9-12 Lunch Menu Week 3
 
Day 1
Sunflower Butter & Jelly Sandwich
Day 2
Taco in a Bag
Day 3
Chef Salad
Day 4
Roast Beef Wrap
Day 5
Make Your Own Pizza Bagel
Components
Meat/Meat Alternatives
(2 oz. eq. daily min)		 Sunflower Butter, Cheese Stick Black Beans, Shredded Cheese Turkey, Shredded Cheese Roast Beef, Sliced Cheese Turkey Pepperoni, Shredded Cheese
Grains
(2 oz. eq. daily min)		 WG Bread Baked Doritos Wheat Thin Crackers WG Wrap WG Bagel
Fruits
(1 cup daily min)		 Applesauce Pears Banana Kiwi Mandarin Oranges
Vegetables
(1 cup daily min)
Dark Green
(½ cup/week)		 Broccoli Florets Shredded Lettuce Romaine Lettuce - -
Red/Orange
(1 ¼ cup/week)		 Carrots Salsa - Tomato Slices Tomato Sauce
Beans
(½ cup/week)		 - - Crunchy Garbanzo Beans - -
Starchy
(½ cup/week)		 - Corn - - -
Other Vegetables
(¾ cup/week)		 - Olives - Cucumbers Snap Peas
Additional
(1 ½ cup/week)		 - - - Pickles -
Other Foods
Milk
(1 cup/day)		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup
Condiments Ranch Sour Cream Ranch Mayo Packet -

Weekly Goals:

  • Meat/Meat Alternatives: 10- 12 oz. eq.
  • Grains: 10-12 oz. eq.
  • Fruits: 5 cups
  • Vegetables: 5 cups with vegetable subgroups minimums met
  • Fluid Milk: 5 cups – 1 cup/day

Grades 9-12 Lunch Menu Week 4
 
Day 1
Eggs
Day 2
Strawberry Parfait
Day 3
Taco Salad
Day 4
PB Banana Sandwich
Day 5
English Muffin
Components
Meat/Meat Alternatives
(2 oz. eq. daily min)		 Hard Boiled Eggs, Cheese Stick Vanilla Greek yogurt Shredded Cheese Peanut Butter, Cheese Stick Greek Yogurt
Grains
(2 oz. eq. daily min)		 WG Pretzels WG granola Baked Doritos WG Bread WG English muffin
Fruits
(1 cup daily min)		 Apple Strawberries Pears Banana Kiwi
Vegetables
(1 cup daily min)
Dark Green
(½ cup/week)		 - - Romaine Lettuce - Broccoli Florets
Red/Orange
(1 ¼ cup/week)		 Carrot Sticks - - Grape Tomatoes Bell Peppers
Beans
(½ cup/week)		 Hummus - Black Beans - -
Starchy
(½ cup/week)		 - - Corn - -
Other Vegetables
(¾ cup/week)		 - Cucumbers, Cauliflower Florets - Snap Peas -
Additional
(1 ½ cup/week)		 - - - - -
Other Foods
Milk
(1 cup/day)		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored 
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup		 1%: Unflavored  
Fat Free: Flavored or Unflavored  
= 1 cup
Condiments Ranch Ranch Sour Cream Ranch Ranch, PB, or Cream Cheese

Weekly Goals:

  • Meat/Meat Alternatives: 10- 12 oz. eq.
  • Grains: 10-12 oz. eq.
  • Fruits: 5 cups
  • Vegetables: 5 cups with vegetable subgroups minimums met
  • Fluid Milk: 5 cups – 1 cup/day

Related Topics

Nutrition, School Nutrition

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