'It's the food, stupid.'

Nation's Restaurant News, March 10, 1997

MMS president Chuck O'Dell once placed a banner over his desk -- "It's The Food, Stupid" -- to emphasize to employees that contract companies, like restaurants, are often only as good as their last meal.

MMS' School Services division took that philosophy to heart in 1995 when it developed its Healthy School Meals initiative, in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's tightening of dietary guidelines on fat and calories in food served to schoolchildren.

Understanding that students won't eat more healthfully if the food isn't appealing or good-tasting, School Services tested more than 35 new recipes with students in 12 school districts for a year before rolling out Healthy School Meals last September. The pilot was a success, the company says, and the new, low-fat menu items have been well-received by student customers.