Getting kids excited about vegetables isn’t easy, but Vegetables by Bayer and DNO Produce have teamed up for the challenge. The two companies are bringing broccoli stems, the often-overlooked part of the plant, into K-12 cafeterias in four schools.
This collaboration aims to empower schools to offer fresh vegetables while reducing food waste through maximizing the full production potential of the crop, according to a news release. The collaboration also addresses the needs of processors and consumers while creating opportunities for vegetable growers.
Vegetables by Bayer, along with DNO Produce, the exclusive provider of FresHealth fresh-cut produce, are helping to make nutrition enjoyable and accessible by introducing new fresh-cut broccoli chips to K-12 school children. These chips are the sweet-tasting snack of the future, the release says, offering a tasty and wholesome option that is also fun to eat.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to transform something often overlooked — like broccoli stems — into a delicious, nutritious snack for kids,” says Jenny Maloney, director of industry relations for Bayer Vegetable Seeds. “Through our collaboration with DNO Produce and the innovation behind High Rise broccoli, we’re making healthy eating more fun and accessible in schools. It’s a powerful example of how creativity in agriculture can support better habits and brighter futures.”
“Our school district is committed to both nutrition and innovation, and we’re always looking for ways to get kids excited about fresh fruits and vegetables,” says Jessica Shelly, director of student dining services for Cincinnati Public Schools. “The broccoli chip pilot was a hit with our students across all grade levels. Collaborating with industry partners who share our passion for innovating school meals makes all the difference.”
Experts from the R&D team at Seminis, a brand of Vegetables by Bayer, are continuously driving innovation in vegetable breeding, developing advanced seed solutions to help meet the evolving needs of growers and consumers, leading to the development of the long-stem High Rise broccoli series, the company says. Unlike traditional compact broccoli, High Rise broccoli features tall stems, uniform heads and few large leaves, resulting in clean stems and a product that overall helps with ease of harvest. FresHealth then processes these stems to create ready-to-eat products for K–12 schools, which has already received a positive reception in early in-school pilots. This approach generates a new market for growers, reduces on-farm waste and improves access to healthy foods in schools, the release says.
“There’s no better place to launch a new vegetable variety than in a school cafeteria. Kids are honest, adventurous eaters and their feedback is second to none,” says Alex DiNovo, president of DNO Produce. “Our mission has always been to increase access, exposure, education and excitement around fresh fruits and vegetables. We know the green vegetable subgroup can be one of the hardest to fill, and these broccoli chips help create a crunchy, creative, compliant option for school foodservice operators.”
“Our broccoli chip collaboration is a powerful example of what we can achieve when innovation and mission align across the produce industry,” says Marissa Dake, vice president of brand and partnerships for DNO Produce. “With Vegetables by Bayer, we share a commitment to nourishing the next generation of produce consumers. We are excited to bring solutions that are as tasty as they are impactful and expand what’s possible for fresh produce in school foodservice and beyond.”
What was once an underused byproduct in broccoli production, the tall and uniform stems can be used in multiple culinary applications. The tender and sweet-tasting stems can be processed into not only chips but sticks, stars and coin shapes. The versatility means it can also be processed into rice and noodles or used in slaw and other dishes to add texture while adding flavor. Broccoli chips are currently in the pipeline for future school foodservice offerings, with plans underway to expand availability, the release says. However, harvest timing and supply are still being finalized.
“Stay tuned for updates as we work to bring this exciting new product to more students nationwide,” the company says.
