As one of three nationwide representatives, Pasadena ISD was selected to represent the South and take part in a taste testing survey for one of Tyson Chicken’s newest creations. The students at Queens and Park View intermediate schools took part in the surveys during their summer school lunch breaks.

“We try and have the students sample as many of the products we serve as possible.  Their opinion is very important to us,” said Mary Harryman, Director of Child Nutrition Services.

Before the students arrived for lunch, the Tyson team prepared 150 of their Breaded Chicken Sandwiches for the students to analyze. For Tyson, it is important for their products to receive an 80 percent success rating for all of their products in order to be placed on the market. If the percentage is not met, the product is sent back to Research and Development for more testing and tweaking.

After sampling the sandwiches, the students were asked to complete a survey to be taken to Tyson’s Marketing Research and Development team to evaluate. Questions included the students’ initial reaction to the taste, their likelihood to purchase the sandwich in the cafeteria and the overall appearance of the sandwich.

As with all food served in the Pasadena ISD cafeterias, Harryman said the nutritional value of the food for the students as well as their satisfaction with the menu is most important.

“We want to make sure we offer the most nutritious student approved menu items that we can,” she said.