Ajinomoto Vietnam has developed nutrition-balanced vegetable menus and widely implemented in primary schools through the “Salad Bar” model.

Encouraging pupils to eat more vegetables through the “Salad Bar” model at schools - Photo: T.L

An initiative for the well-being of future generations

One of the most remarkable milestones in Ajinomoto Vietnam’s more than three-decade journey of accompanying Vietnamese people is the School Meal Project. Officially implemented in primary boarding schools nationwide in 2017, the Project is carried out in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training and the National Institute of Nutrition (Ministry of Health).

The nutrition-balanced lunch portion following the Project’s menu software - Photo: T.L

The Nutrition-balanced Menus Development Software offers more than 360 diverse dishes divided into the tastes of Vietnam’s three regions - North, Central, and South, based on local culinary characteristics and available ingredients. All menus meet the Ministry of Health’s recommended nutritional standards for each age group. This helps schools simplify boarding meal management while providing pupils with delicious, nutrition-balanced meals.

In addition to the menu bank, the “Three Minutes to Change Awareness” Education Program provides pupils with basic knowledge about the nutritional value and health benefits of foods. This helps foster the love for food - especially vegetables, and encourages healthy eating habits among children.

Moreover, through nutrition and food-themed videos shown before lunchtime, pupils can also learn new English vocabulary, making it easier for them to absorb and remember.
 

The “Three Minutes to Change Awareness” Education Program before lunchtime - Photo: T.L

The Project also establishes “Model Kitchens” designed according to Japanese standards, allowing primary schools to visit, learn, and apply the model at their own facilities.
This is a one-way kitchen system that ensures food safety and hygiene throughout the entire lunch preparation process - from ingredient input, pre-processing to cooking and serving, while also helping schools reduce workload, save time, and optimize manpower.

Children are more interested in eating vegetables thanks to an innovative approach

In addition to the nutrition-balanced menus provided by the Software, the Ajinomoto Vietnam has also developed vegetable menus that meet recommended nutritional requirements to encourage pupils to eat more vegetables.

Pupils actively add vegetables to their lunch portions - Photo: T.L

In particular, the Company has introduced the “Salad Bar” model in schools, allowing pupils to serve themselves vegetables during lunchtime. This not only makes mealtimes more enjoyable but also helps form healthy eating habits.

The model encourages dietary diversity and higher vegetable intake while integrating nutrition education and teaching pupils discipline through queuing and self-service. These activities contribute to building a sense of responsibility and positive behavior among pupils.

From the pilot model in Đồng Tháp Province, the “Salad Bar” model is now expanding to other provinces such as Khánh Hòa, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long, helping lay the foundation for a healthier future generation.
 

Spreading the “joy of vegetables” from school to home

To enhance the program’s effectiveness, Ajinomoto Vietnam not only collaborates with schools but also shares vegetable menus with pupils’ families, encouraging them to apply these menus at home meals.

The cooperation between schools and families creates a continuous cycle of nutrition education - from school lunches to home meals, helping children develop long-term healthy and balanced eating habits.

A catering service is preparing school lunches scientifically based on the menus of the Project.

Since late 2023, the School Meal Project has been expanded to include schools without boarding kitchens as well as those using meal catering services. With the collaboration of the Ministry of Education and Training, local Departments of Education and Training, schools, and meal catering services, more than 4,400 primary schools nationwide with about 1.5 million pupils now benefit annually from the Project’s initiatives.

These efforts demonstrate the Ajinomoto Vietnam’s strong commitment to realizing its Purpose: “Contributing to the well-being of Vietnamese people and society through providing quality products and valuable initiatives with “AminoScience””.
 

Source: Tuoi Tre Online