By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
LOWER EAST SIDE — Food Network Chef Ellie Krieger prepared a fresh salad for a tough audience Wednesday — students at P.S. 63 / P.S.163.
Krieger, a dietician and host of "Healthy Appetite" on the Food Network, unveiled a Tri-Color salad made with cauliflower, broccoli and red peppers that will be added to the menus of all New York City schools as part of a larger push to include more fresh fruit and vegetables in student diets.
"As a dietitian and chef, I am very passionate about food and believe that all children have the right to food that is both healthful and appealing," Krieger said in a statement Wednesday.
Krieger recently worked for first lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" public health campaign urging kids to get active to fight childhood obesity.
In Manhattan, adding healthier items to school menus is part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's directive to increase the nutrition of school lunches.
"The reason the city is so committed to increasing access to healthy foods and to improving the nutritional quality of the food we serve is that we understand how important this is to good health," said Kim Kessler, the mayor's food policy coordinator, in a statement.
The salad will be served with Mediterranean roasted chicken, whole grain rotini pasta and fresh herbs across the city's schools.