March 26, 2013

Beef and Mushroom Burger Pilot Program

SBCSC District Overview• South Bend Community School

Corporation (SBCSC) is St. Joseph County's oldest and largest school corporation, and the fourth-largest school district in Indiana.

• The school corporation has 33 school buildings and five support facilities in a geographical area covering 160 square miles.

Statistics

• 22,100 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12.

• 19 primary centers (elementary schools)• 10 intermediate centers (middle schools)• 4 high schools• Students live in urban, suburban, and rural

areas• The student population reflects the rich ethnic

and cultural diversity of the total community.

The Test

• Test new further processed beef burger with mushrooms with the kids

• All students had a choice of entrees• Surveyed only the students that choose the

burger• For elementary the new burger was substituted

for their regular burger• For high school ½ cheeseburger was offered as a

sample in addition to their lunch entrée free

The Total Survey’s

• Total Surveys returned: 642–518 Yes or 81%–105 No or 16%–19 Maybe or 3%

Results– Kindergarten

• 50 - Yes• 0 – No

– 1st Grade• 63 – Yes• 4 – No

– 2nd Grade• 44 – Yes• 3 – No

– 5th Grade• 44 – Yes• 1 – No

– 6th Grade• 27 – Yes• 8 – No

– 7th Grade• 33 - Yes• 5 – No

– 8th Grade• 30 – Yes• 6 – No

Results

–High School # 1•85 – Yes•13 – No•2 – Maybe

–Adam’s High School• 134 – Yes• 65 – No• 17 – Maybe

The Survey

Survey Method• Kindergarten class: were told the cheeseburger that day was

different than their usual burger and we would be asking if they liked it or not– The “proof” was in the consumption of the burger with very little of the

burgers going into the trash• 1st – 4th classes: were told that is was a new burger with mushrooms

in it– To let us know if they liked it or not – And if it was about the same, better than or worse than the current burger

• For the high schools there was a sign on the entrée warmer that stated:– “Free Sample of a new Beef and Mushroom Burger with a survey and a free

cookie with lunch if you try the sample”

Summary

• Overall the staff and students loved the new product• For many of the high school students they liked the

idea that there were vegetables in the burger and that it was “extended” using all natural ingredients and added nutrients too.

• Some students would not try it due to the mushrooms in it

• Most of the no’s came from Adam’s HS – The high schools are still serving a 3 ounce all beef burger

• Hence the increase in “No” versus a 1.85 oz. burger

Some Takeaways

• Kids are eating mushrooms • The word “mushrooms” does not scare them

off• Kids have opinions and love to share them• Watching the trash cans is still the best way to

see true consumption

Creativity Abounds