Glenville, MN (August 25, 2009) – Owatonna based Learning ZoneXpress (LZE)  and the Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) launched the nation’s first Extreme Cafeteria Makeover contest last October to acknowledge the many challenges faced by school cafeterias.  Creating a fresh new lunch experience for students is critical to their nutritional needs and to meet the financial challenges of schools.  This makeover is now complete and Glenville-Emmons High School would like to celebrate. The community is invited to the unveiling of an extreme cafeteria makeover to celebrate an innovative approach to food service programs.

Not only will this makeover benefit Glenville-Emmons High School cafeteria by providing increased customer satisfaction, food service revenues, efficiencies, expanded healthy menu options and heightened school and community pride but, it will generate expanded knowledge and innovative foodservice solutions for these tough economic times.

“School foodservice directors have a huge job!” said Melanie Nelson, Founder and President of LZE. “The contest was formed because we wanted to support the profession in a creative way…it evolved into an incredible makeover that has the potential to change many lives.”

The makeover contest originally started as a $40,000 makeover  but rapidly grew to $70,000 through fundraisers, inkind gifts and investments by community partners.  Superintendent Mark Roubinek and foodservice manager, Diane Minear applied for the makeover and unanimously won.  Superintendent of Glenville schools, Mark Roubinek is quoted as saying, “The makeover and updating of our cafeteria will infuse a lot of positive energy into the district.”

Come celebrate with Glenville-Emmons High School. This will be a great opportunity to hear what students think about their fresh NEW cafeteria.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

Community Open House

Time: 4:30 – 7 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons High School (230 5th St. SE, Glenville, Minnesota)

The Tranformation begins...

Glenville, MN (June, 2009) – Several contractors huddled in the corner of the Glenville-Emmons High School cafeteria on a cold, wet day in March while school staff and a variety of consultants conversed and two students buzzed with excitements nearby. The school in the Little town of Glenville, population 720, is about to transformed.

Diane Minear told representatives from the Minnesota School Nutrition Association and Learning ZoneXpress that she “felt like she had won the lottery” upon learning that the school had won the 2009 Extreme Cafeteria Makeover.

As foodservice manager, Minear serves about 30 breakfasts and 180 lunches a day, often cooking breads and hot dishes from scratch. She’s excited about the fresh ideas that have been discussed so far, including a larger state-of-the-art serving line from Duke Manufacturing, menu boards and colorful posters from Learning ZoneXpress, and innovative menu items.

Glenville-Emmons students and staff will offer their opinions and ideas in late March via a customer survey. Survey data will be analyzed by a University of Minnesota graduate student and will drive decision-making during the makeover’s planning stage this spring. A similar survey will be used when the makeover is completed to determine the effectiveness of changes like wait time, menu innovations, and even the cafeteria’s “cool factor.”

New equipment, wall décor, staff uniforms, and other updates will be delivered over the summer and the new menu will be introduced to students in September. Stay tuned!