An alternative to regular Clark County school cafeteria fare, during the summer

A Las Vegas lunch lady is working to turn the nose-wrinkling reputation of school cafeteria food into a thing of the past.

Kris Patrick doesn’t take a break from making sure kids are served lip-smacking meals during the summer either.

“We want students to eat with us because they want to — not because they have to,” she said.

The longtime food services coordinator oversees 50 Clark County schools that serve breakfast and lunch during the summer. There are more sites that provide the free meals at libraries and community centers across the school district.

In July, the schools have served an average of 3,700 students breakfast. At lunchtime, that number increases to about 4,330, according to district counts.

Anyone 18 or younger can eat, regardless of whether they’re a student.

“We want to make sure we get to feed every kid,” Patrick said. “Some of these kids don’t get a meal once school is out.”

In Clark County, more than 201,000 students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Patrick goes beyond making sure students get a meal. She wants them to like the food they’re being served.

“Every new food is taste tested by kids,” she said.

She has student volunteers lined up to try different pizzas next week. The ones they favor will be served during the upcoming academic year.

When school is in session, the nation’s fifth-largest school district serves 1.2 million meals a week. It even offers breakfasts that students can eat in class at some schools.

The district is increasing the number of schools that allow the breakfasts in class from 74 to 175 in 2016-17.

“That’s important because there were a lot of kids who were trying to learn hungry,” said Michelle Booth, a spokeswoman for Clark County schools.

More students will get to taste test the foods during the upcoming school year, too. Food services is planning “taste it Tuesdays” to give them a chance to try the foods approved by the volunteers, Patrick said.

“If it doesn’t go over, we’ll get rid of it,” she said.

The food is required to meet certain nutrition standards. Patrick said the district’s popular cinnamon rolls are made from sweet potatoes. That makes them healthy and tasty.

Patrick grew up in the small town of Titusville, Pennsylvania. She remembers dreading the stewed tomatoes served in her school’s cafeteria.

Back then, she said, students didn’t have choices. That’s why she’s determined to give school lunch a makeover.

“We want to give the kids what they want,” she said.

To find a free summer meal site, visit fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks , call 1-866-348-6479 or text FOOD to 877-877.