PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. -- It is well established that food affects our physical well-being, but newer evidence tells us that food also affects our mood. The Pulaski County Special School District and our Student Nutrition partner, Chartwells K12, believe it is more important than ever for students to make the connection between what they eat and how they feel.
With that in mind, Chartwells has developed an engaging program called Mood Boost Café – designed to help students make a correlation between their food and their mood. Chartwells chefs & dietitians worked together for nearly a year to create the six week program that includes menu items featuring exciting and delicious mood-boosting ingredients. These recipes prominently feature at least one significant ingredient relating to each of the six highlighted moods: Alert, Calm, Confident, Happy, Smart & Strong. To help with the appeal to elementary students, these moods are illustrated by a series of characters known as The Moodys.
For six weeks, beginning January 24, each Tuesday in PCSSD elementary schools, students will be treated to an item highlighting that week’s featured mood – incorporating nutritious items such as blueberries, zucchini, kiwi, apples, broccoli and carrots.