Albuquerque Public Schools
Students Test Fresh, Culturally Relevant Menu Options
Breakfast tamales earn high marks from students during Cinco de Mayo taste test.
Albuquerque Public Schools' Food and Nutrition Services team is working hard to provide fresh, minimally processed foods that are also culturally relevant for students—and a recent taste test shows that effort is paying off!
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, students at George I. Sanchez Collaborative Community School and Atrisco Heritage Academy High School recently sampled breakfast tamales served with freshly made pico de gallo. The taste test invited students from kindergarten through high school to share feedback on a potential new menu item.
The response was overwhelmingly positive.
At Atrisco Heritage Academy, nearly 300 students participated, with 61% rating the tamales a perfect 5 out of 5 for quality and flavor. Even more impressive, 91% of students said they would like to see breakfast tamales added to the school menu.
Results from George I. Sanchez also showed strong support. With over 400 students participating, 78% said they would like tamales on the menu.
The taste test reflects the district's commitment to the state's Healthy Universal School Meals program, which emphasizes fresh, minimally processed and culturally relevant foods. It also highlights the importance of student voice in shaping menus that students enjoy.
With such positive feedback, Food and Nutrition Services is now exploring how to incorporate breakfast tamales into the menu for the 2026–2027 school year.