2026-27 Terrific Trays Submission Form

The Terrific Tray Competition is an opportunity for schools and school districts to highlight exceptional school meals serving up MA-grown produce and high-quality, nutrient-rich ingredients. Each month, one terrific tray winner is selected that is spotlighted in the DESE Office for Food and Nutrition Program's Communication Plan as well as through other promotional efforts.

Need tips to help make your photos great?

Check out these resources:

FoodCorps’ Picture This: Showcasing School Meals to Your Community
Photographing School Food: A Practical Guide
Mass Farm to School's Capturing Terrific Food Photos & Showcasing Fabulous Menus Webinar Recording

School Food Authority

Name

First NameLast Name

Email

example@example.com

Social Media Handles

Please provide handles if you have them.

Submission Title

This might include the name of the entry or the way this tray is titled on your school lunch menu. Examples include: "Southwest Enchilada Plate" or "Autumn Bounty Brunch for Lunch" or "Chana Masala with Mumbai Rice."

Identify the local ingredients featured in your tray.

Please include for each local ingredient: farm/producer name, location (city, state) and the farm/producer's website (if applicable).

Provide a caption for your photograph describing your Terrific Tray submission.

Only submissions of school lunches that follow the National School Lunch Program Meal Pattern (including fluid milk or a nutritionally equivalent milk alternative) will be considered. For caption examples, please reference Mass Farm to School's Terrific Tray landing page for former Terrific Tray winners and captions at the bottom of the page. Captions should incorporate farm/producer names and locations, a meal description and program social media handles (when applicable). Don't forget to have fun with your caption - food puns are always a plus!

Photo Credit

This may be the photographer, the food service director, the chef who developed the meal, or another individual that should be recognized/credited for the photo.

Recipe Submission (URL or PDF/Word Doc)

When possible, DESE is seeking to elevate standardized recipes (which include meal pattern contributions) developed for Child Nutrition production so that other Child Nutrition Programs may compliantly utilize these recipes as well. For resources and examples of standardized recipes, please review the USDA Recipe Standardization Guide for School Nutrition Programs (pg 75-78 for a standardized recipe template), as well as the Institute of Child Nutrition’s Child Nutrition Recipe Box.

If the recipe is only available as a PDF or Word Document, please submit write "n/a" in the "Recipe Link/URL" box and attach it below.

Recipe Link/URL:

Recipe Submission (PDF or Microsoft Word File only)

Photo Attestation & Release: I verify that all photos submitted are original work, a third party does not own or control any materials the photo contains, and the photo does not infringe upon the trademark, copyright, intellectual rights, or rights of privacy of any entity or person. By submitting my photo, I give Massachusetts Farm to School, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as program partners the right to use the photo submitted for any purpose.

Submit Photograph of Your Terrific Tray