Archive for the ‘Things to Eat’ Category

Kid-Friendly Coffee Shop in Fountain Inn, SC Offers Amazing Flight of Coffee

Looking for great coffee in Fountain Inn, SC or want to try a delicious flight of coffee? Steam Coffee & Cream is a fantastic place to try! And they are super family-friendly so, a huge bonus. It’s only about 20 minutes from Greenville, SC.

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Where and How to Celebrate French Culture in the Upstate

Are you wondering where and how to celebrate French culture in the Upstate? Local mom Deborah provides a complete list of ways to embrace French culture in our area. This list includes everything from French classes to French food and much more!

I loved French class in high school and college. We ate French food, talked about French culture, and talked to each other in as much French as we could. However, I always knew that the best way to learn French would be to live where French is spoken. Maybe you too would like to immerse yourself in French culture. Maybe you want to feel at home again and keep your culture and language alive in your children. Or, perhaps you just want to know more about the French culture in our area.

Bienvenue à Greenville!

French Classes

Upstate International offers French classes for all levels as well as multiple ways to connect with other French people in our community.

French Conversations

If you just want to practice your French, go to Hampton Memorial Library in Easley on the third Tuesday of every month.

Bilingual French School

Started in 1974 by the Michelin Society, the Bilingual French School educates French children from K5 through 12th grade. The school helps children reintegrate into French culture while also helping them learn American culture.

French Holidays

The French Alliance is over 100 years old and has chapters all over the world designed to promote French language and culture. Our local chapter, French Alliance of Piedmont, organizes French classes, books clubs, and conversation groups. They also organize special events to celebrate French holidays.

In November, a French wine, Beaujolais Nouveau is enjoyed along with a French meal to celebrate the end of harvest.

In early January, galette des roise, King’s Cake, is shared to celebrate the day the wise men came to see Jesus.

In February, crêpes are made to celebrate La Chandeleur, the day Mary brought Jesus to the temple.

In March, International Francophonie Day celebrates French people and cultures around the world.

Bastille Day, French Independence Day, is celebrated on July 14. The French love horses, so Black Sheep Farm, an organization in Fountain Inn that used horses to help young children develop socially, sponsors Bastille Day Greenville each July.

French Food

Authentique French Crêperie serves authentic French crêpes, galettes, salads, sandwiches and coffee in Simpsonville.

Le Petit Croissant serves French influenced pastries, chocolates and coffee on the West End.

Crêpe du Jour serves authentic French crêpes, coffee, and wine in the heart of downtown Greenville.

Passerelle Bistro is a French influenced café overlooking Falls Park.

French is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world and twenty-nine countries have French as their official language. Let’s enjoy the French culture that can be found in Greenville!

A Little World of Food Perfection: Swamp Rabbit Cafe

Wondering if a visit to Greenville’s Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery should be on your to do list? Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery in Greenville, SC is a popular local food grocery and cafe with sandwiches, baked goods and even wood fired pizza. Located along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, its the perfect place for families to enjoy great food and outdoor activities. KAG Contributor, Kristina Hernandez, is telling us all about the tasty options you can find at this Greenville gem.

Looking for more great places to eat out AND play with your family? Check out our list of Places to Dine And Play in Greenville.

I had heard many great things about Swamp Rabbit Café before I actually stepped foot inside the converted warehouse, where an assault on my senses took me to another world of blueberry scones, perfect lattes and an eye-opening array of fresh produce and baked goods. It’s like entering a little world of food perfection in the middle of Greenville – well, actually, in the middle of the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Swamp Rabbit Grocery: Local Food

The Swamp Rabbit Café offers an incredible variety of local and fresh food and the owners obviously take great pains in finding the best products to offer customers. Over the years, the café and grocery has expanded their space. They have increased seating capacity in the café and now command an even more abundant and spacious grocery section. At least half of their food offerings are sourced from within 150 miles of Greenville so that customers know where the food comes from and are assured of its quality. Plus, your dollars are going back into the local economy, so it’s a win-win for everyone. There are a variety of seasonal goods like apples, greens and vegetables plus refrigerators full of local meat, organic and sustainable dairy items and even goats milk gelato. They also have a wall, yes, a wall, of nuts and seeds and a favorite from my own childhood – dried pineapples.

The shop also has a weekly produce box that you can pick up that is full of seasonal ingredients. Also, check their Facebook and website for deals as they often will post on social media their newest offerings. If you are a glutton for punishment, follow them on Instagram. The pictures of gorgeous food will have your mouth watering all day long. For a video tour and interview with one of the co-owners, Mary Walsh, see here.

Swamp Rabbit Cafe: Coffee, Snacks and More

After you get done perusing the grocery, head down the steps to the café side, it’s only a matter of deciding what you’d like to have from their offerings of coffee, muffins, scones, sandwiches, salads and soups. The scones are amazing – fluffy on the inside, crusty on the outside and full of flavor. Why so delicious? The owners explain that they are so careful about what they bake with and only use “flour, evaporated cane juice, local free-range eggs, local milk, local butter, yeast.” The difference from other baked goods, like at a grocery store, is very noticeable.

The coffee is also delicious and comes from local roasters like Counter Culture Coffee in Raleigh, NC, which sources their coffee beans from farmers and co-ops. Having traveled extensively and knowing a bit about good coffee, I was blown away by the quality and taste of this coffee.

Swamp Rabbit Pizza

Not in the mood for a scone or a sandwich? Swamp Rabbit Pizza is magnificent. They have old favorites like pepperoni and cheese regularly. But they also have unique offerings with seasonal toppings like the baked potato pizza, another one topped with cabbage, and my personal favorite, the beetza. I don’t know who thought up putting beets on pizza but they are brilliant. You’ll find the yellow Swamp Pizza building, which was made from a shipping container, outside the grocery.

Bring the Kids

The owners of Swamp Rabbit Café not only have an eye, and palette, for quality coffee and food, but they also thought of the weary parent who is in need of respite. Just outside the café is a little fenced in yard full of toys for the little ones to play with while mom and dad get their coffee and scone fix. It’s perfect for a Saturday morning to relax and let the kids get out some energy.

Easily Accessible

The café is right off the Swamp Rabbit Trail so you can easily access it from there as well. I saw a bunch of families with their kids on bikes or in pull along trailers stop in for a quick snack. If you take your car, there is plenty of parking.

Find the Swamp Rabbit Café at 205 Cedar Lane, Greenville, SC 29611.

Cafe and Grocery Hours are:
Monday – Saturday: 7:30 am – 7 pm
Sunday: 8 am – 6 pm

Pizza Hours are:
Thursday: 5 – 8:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11 am – 8:30 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm

Spartanburg Restaurants Your Family Will Love

Hunting for a great local restaurant that your family will love? Local mom Jennifer put together this list of awesome restaurants in Spartanburg to check out. This list includes hot spots downtown, family-friendly dining in Boiling Springs, and more.

Hungry? It’s a good thing you’re in Spartanburg! Our charming town is quickly becoming a foodie haven. At this point, I have lost count of all the new restaurants opening up in Spartanburg. As we all #seespartanburgrise, we also get to enjoy the perks that come from this revitalized growth like incredible restaurant options.

While my family likes chain restaurants just as much as the next family, we love eating locally. When we eat locally, we support small businesses and boost the local economy. And, we get to enjoy unique food dishes and dining experiences. Plus, when out-of-towners come to visit, we’d much rather take them to a local restaurant than to a place they can eat back home.

With that being said, I’ve prepared this list of ten of my family’s favorite local restaurants. It no way covers all the many outstanding restaurants in the county. For instance, with so many new restaurants opening in 2017 and 2018, we simply have not had the opportunity to try them all. (But, it is my stomach’s ultimate goal!)

This list is perfect for those new to Spartanburg or visitors looking for some local flavor.

Wade’s Southern Cooking

Wade’s is a local icon. You cannot live in Spartanburg without visiting Wade’s at least once. And, I highly doubt that will be your one and only visit. It has been serving Spartanburg locals Southern classics and meats and threes since 1947.

Why kids love it – Mac and cheese are considered a vegetable.

Photo credit: Wade’s

Bubba’s BBQ and Bash

If you have guests visiting, you have to feed them good ole’ Carolina barbecue at least once. With tons of barbecue options, I am going with my family’s personal favorite, Bubba’s BBQ and Bash. In addition to excellent barbecue, they also offer fall-off-the-bones ribs and baked macaroni and cheese that always leaves me craving more.

Why kids love it – Barbecue is messy and gives them an excuse to lick their fingers clean.

Taco Dog

Can’t decide between Mexican or American? Look no further than Taco Dog! Located in the Hillcrest Shopping Center, Taco Dog has been settling restaurant debates since 2003. Its unique menu offers tacos, nachos, burritos, and uniquely-topped hot dogs.

Why kids love it – Do I even need to explain this one?

Downtown Deli & Donuts

Just like the name suggests, Downtown Deli & Donuts is a downtown breakfast and lunch spot serving deli food and donuts. However, it is far more than your traditional deli or donut shop. They offer artisan donuts with unique flavors (as well as gluten-free donuts) and a lunch menu that is full of healthy and tasty salads and sandwiches.

Why kids love it – They get to decorate their own donut.

Manny’s

Manny’s in Boiling Springs is always packed! This is because they offer a wide selection ensuring everyone finds something they will like, and it is budget-friendly. This Greek and Italian style family restaurant offers pizza, calzones, wings, subs, spaghetti, gyros, and more.

Why kids love it – Chicken fingers, fries, and spaghetti

Monsoon Noodle House

Located right in the middle of downtown, Monsoon Noodle House has a cool atmosphere and excellent food. Their noodle bowls have been satisfying Spartanburg locals since 2008. If my opinion isn’t enough for you, they’ve been voted Best of the Best Chinese Restaurants for three years now.

Why kids love it – Smaller plates of Lo Mein just for them

Mon Amie Morning Café

Mon Amie Morning Café, on the Eastside, serves savory French food for breakfast and lunch (or just dessert). The restaurant is delightful, and the food is outstanding. No matter if you visit for breakfast or lunch, you will walk away with your belly full and happy.

Why kids love it – Crepes are more fun than sandwiches.

Gerhard’s Café

Hidden inside a shopping center is one of the locals’ favorite restaurants that offers both fine dining and a pizzeria. Do not let the fine dining fool you – Gerhard’s Cafe includes a pizzeria that is great for families with more budget-friendly and kid-friendly menu options.

Why kids love it – It is a lively atmosphere with big tables and a small outdoor green space.

Without a Children’s Menu, But Still Worth It

If you feel safe taking your kids to local restaurants that do not offer kids menus (but offer great food), then you absolutely must try these two:

Willy Taco

Since opening in 2013, Willy Taco has quickly become a local favorite. People kept coming back and waiting on busy nights to taste their funky tacos and try their fun drinks. While they do not offer a kids’ menu and you have to pay for chips and salsa, they do offer a plain cheese quesadilla and an atmosphere that will entrance your children.

Do you have a restaurant your family loves to add to our list? Add it in the comments!

Asia Pacific Supermarket: This is Where You Find Authentic Chinese Cooking in Greenville

Finally, a Chinese restaurant and Bubble Tea bar in Greenville that goes beyond the usual General Tso’s Chicken and Beef and Broccoli. Although we love our Chinese American fare, we have sorely missed the freshness of authentic Chinese cooking.

About Asia Pacific Supermarket

I first visited Asia Pacific Supermarket with a good friend from Hong Kong, now also based in Greenville. She knows about my hankering about finding an authentic Chinese restaurant in the Upstate. I have been back many times since, to shop and to eat, and have never been disappointed. Most visitors come to visit the aisles of the 14,000-square-foot supermarket, but the real gem is the non-descript restaurant quietly located right behind the cashier.

The restaurant is bright, spacious, and very clean. The staff is efficient and friendly. You may find your supermarket cashier sometimes taking your order after she rings you up at the aisles. You will also probably meet gracious Alva Mak, the proprietor, who hails from Hongkong, hence the predominant Cantonese flavors in their dishes. Alva mentions that they’ve only been open for six months and the response has been good. Located a few blocks from Greenville Technology College, she says they are frequented by students and Asian regulars.

Cantonese cooking consists of wok-fried and steamed dishes. But what I miss the most are the roasted meats. And yes, they have roasted duck and Char Siu or roast pork. We’ve tried the duck and it’s to die for!

Other dishes we’ve tried are their pickled mustard with pork and bean sprouts and eggplant with pork. Unlike Western cooking, the vegetables take center stage alongside the meats and chopped up in small bites.

The eggplant dish was delicious and actually overshadowed the pork (in a good way of course).

On their menu is a long list of seafood items, beckoning for me to come back. Pan-fried fish with tofu, spicy salt and pepper grouper, seafood with rice noodles, spicy salt, and pepper shrimp, and so on. I’ve tried the fillet Tilapia fish with black beans. The saltiness was jarring at first till I remembered that it must and should be eaten with white rice. Dishes are priced between $10 to $12.

Chatting with Alva, she points out that their menu is a work in progress and consists of daily specials. If you don’t find one to your liking, there’s also the option of having fresh seafood from their fish tanks and have them prepare it as you wish. Now that’s really bringing me back to Asia!

Plan your own visit

Asia Pacific Supermarket:
Asian Grocery, Chinese Kitchen, Fish Market, and Bubble Tea Bar
420 N. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville SC, 29607
11 am to 8 pm
864-603-1377

Have you checked out Asia Pacific Supermarket yet?

The Ultimate Guide to How to Get Your Groceries Easier

Raise your hands if you think your friendly neighborhood delivery service was heaven sent. This is how I first felt when my first groceries were dropped off at my house. Hubby was out of town and we just had come back from a big trip. Chores had piled up and kids were off from school because of storm warnings. How to do everything when your hands are already full? Thankfully, Publix online shopping and same day delivery came to the rescue. It was so easy and free, thanks to a special offer for new customers. It was like having elves show up in your house. Probably the easiest supermarket trip ever.

Where to find the magical grocery delivery service

With the coming of two big app-based delivery companies, Instacart and Shipt, more supermarkets are able to offer the same-day delivery service, some within as little as one hour! I’ve noticed that Publix works with both companies which probably explains why they have great delivery coverage.

Before you proceed, bear in mind that there are pros and cons to online ordering. For instance, online prices are sometimes higher than found in the store. Costco, in fact, readily states that prices are higher online, right on their website. Online shopping also takes away the option to pick your own produce and the social interaction that comes with shopping in stores. That being said, online shopping also helps you manage your grocery shopping better and lowers the chances of impulse buying. Whether it’s curbside pick-up or same-day delivery you choose, on-line grocery services like Instacart and Shipt, are definitely a big win for parents when it comes to convenience and time saved. Please note that alcohol is not available for online deliveries.

In doing this research, Lowe’s Foods is listed separately as they don’t indicate who their third-party partner is. Also, not all supermarkets deliver to all areas but we listed the zip codes that they currently deliver to. This information can also be found on the grocery store’s websites.

Curbside Pick Up

Before the same-day delivery service, we were already thrilled with the idea of curbside pick-up. For those not familiar, it’s grocery shopping online with the option to pick-up your groceries at a designated time of your choosing. How does it work? You create a shopping list through your grocery app or website. Upon checkout, you select a time to pick them up. Your receipt should give you a designated number which the store will use to identify your items. Typically, the store you choose will have a reserved parking area for pick-ups. Usually the order is free but depending on your store, there might be a minimum order of $30. Please see your preferred supermarket for more detailed guidelines, such as a time cut-off for same-day orders, pricing and procedures. Fortunately, there are quite a few stores offering curbside pick up.

Lowes Foods of Greer
850 East Suber Road Suite 200
Greer, SC 29650

Lowes Foods of Simpsonville
2815 Woodruff Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681

Walmart
GREENVILLE – Walmart Supercenter, 1451 Woodruff Road
ANDERSON – Walmart Neighborhood Market, 2003 E Greenville Street
SIMPSONVILLE – Walmart Neighborhood Market, 1401 West Georgia Road
TRAVELERS REST – Walmart Supercenter, 9 Benton Road

Multiple Publix locations – please see their website for the complete list.

Same Day Delivery

Lowes Foods of Simpsonville
2815 Woodruff Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681

Subscriptions: 30-day subscription for $16.95 and a 1 year subscription for $99.00.
Zipcode coverage: 29650, 29680, 29681

Instacart

An Instacart membership offers a free 14-day trial and after that charges $149 per year. Stores that they work with are listed below. Aldi and Instacart partnership has been advertising in their stores, however, as of the date this article was written, the partnership has not yet been activated.

Tip: Upon checkout, you can waive the 10% service charge. I did this but tipped my Instacart shoppers when they delivered to my house.

Current Store Locations and Zip Code Coverage (from Instacart’s page)

Costco: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29615, 29622, 29681

Publix: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29615, 29617, 29640, 29641, 29642, 29650, 29680, 29681, 29687

Whole Foods Market: 29605, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29615, 29622, 29681

Petco: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29615, 29617, 29687

Shipt

A Shipt membership also offers a 2-week free trial, a recurring membership of $99 after trial, plus $15 off on first order, with the option to cancel anytime. Shipt also has a Monthly plan of $14 and free delivery on orders over $35. Read local mom Jackie Vest’s review of Shipt.

Tip: Check out their facebook page for deals and digital coupons.

Current Stores and Zip Code Coverage

LIDL: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29615, 29617, 29650, 29687

Publix: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29615, 29617, 29640, 29642, 29650, 29680, 29681, 29687

Wholefoods: 29601, 29605, 29615, 29642, 29650, 29680, 29681, 29687

Do you use curbside or delivery services? Which one do you like best? Please feel free to share in the comments section.

A Mom’s Review of Lidl with Shipt

Thank you to Shipt & Lidl for sponsoring Kidding Around Greenville.

The other night, my husband was working late as I was folding an Everest-sized mountain of laundry, refereeing a fight between my kids (who were supposed to be eating dinner), and get this: receiving live updates via text about how my grocery shopping was coming along at Lidl. That’s right, an angel named Rachel from Shipt was shopping up and down the aisles of Lidl for me, even having an associate get the uncured bacon I requested from the back of the store since the shelves were out. WINNING.

The Scoop on Lidl with Shipt

If you haven’t tried Shipt, then you are missing out on magic. I mean: somebody pinch me! Half the hassle at Lidl is bagging your thirteen-thousand items while your kids fight over the conveyor belt switch and dump your products on the floor. You work yourself into a spin-class sweat as the childless couple behind you taps their feet in annoyance, holding their five items and Staring. You. Down. The angel-lady from Shipt bagged my groceries and delivered them to my front door, she had even separated the cold stuff into a cute little rolly cooler, as if humans can do these things.

How does it work?

Download the app for Shipt and click to shop at Lidl. Add items to your cart. Pick a time slot for delivery (I completed my order at 4:30 pm and had it delivered at 7 pm). Pay. Get your cape. You are now Superwoman and you are doing many things at once.

The shopper will introduce themselves via text when they start shopping your order, let you know of any substitutions or questions they have as they shop along, and let you know when they are on their way to your house. Tipping is available through the app and is encouraged but not required.

How much does it cost?

Shipt offers two types of membership: $14/month or $99/year. Free shipping on all orders over $35 ($7 delivery fee for orders under $35). Prices through Shipt will run slightly higher than what you will find in-store. They say that customers pay about $5 more using Shipt than they would on a $35 order that they shop for themselves. If you’re like me, you easily make up for this difference in impulse buys, stress, time, and chocolate.

What to expect plus tips

The app does not include all of what is available in-store. Search for things in the search bar rather than by category. I found there to be many items available in the app which are not organized into categories. You can also send in special requests for things which are not listed. I have found Lidl to be dependable for fresh produce and this was the same when Shipt did the shopping for me.

The angel-lady explained that Lidl stocks their shelves first thing in the morning and that they do not re-stock. Therefore, to ensure that the things you choose in the app will be there in-store, choose an earlier time slot. I had mine shopped in the evening and there were several things which Lidl was out of by then. However, I did expect this since I have experienced it at Lidl myself.

Mamas, being able to shop Lidl’s fresh options and low prices while you simultaneously conquer the world is a total game changer. Sanity has been spared and cash has been saved!

Have you tried Lidl with Shipt yet? NO? What are you waiting for?!?

Meet Jackie

Jackie Vest is a writer and at-home-mom of two energetic little boys. She enjoys adventuring around the beautiful Upstate, the hilarity of kiddo-raising, outdoor fitness with friends, and her Favorite 5 C’s: cooking, crafting, camping, coffee, and chocolate. You can connect with her via her blog at: JackieVest.com.

Happy Birthday! Here’s a List of Where You Can Get a Free Treat!

Here’s our list of places to get free food on your birthday in Greenville! For more of our birthday articles plus a massive list of places to have that special party see our Ultimate Guide to Birthdays in Greenville. This list is for informational purposes only. Please double-check with the places listed here to ensure that these deals are still current.

Birthday coming up? There are lots of free eats and treats available to help you celebrate! Most places require you to sign up for their applicable rewards program or subscribe to their e-mails to receive these birthday offers. Here’s our list of free treats and what you have to do to enjoy them. Happy Birthday from all of us at Kidding Around!

Anthropologie

Bad Daddy’s Burgers

Free food on your birthday when you sign up for their club.

Barnes and Noble Kids Club

Kids in the Barnes and Noble Kids Club receive a free cupcake from the cafe.

Bruegger’s Bagels

Join Bruegger’s eclub for a free birthday treat, and a free bagel and cream cheese when you sign up.

Chili’s

Chili’s rewards members receive a free dessert on birthdays.

Culvers

Dairy Queen

Denny’s

Enjoy a free Grand Slam Breakfast on your birthday with an ID!

Dunkin Donuts

When you sign up for DD Perks, you get a free drink on your birthday.

Eggs Up Grill

Join Eggs Up Grill E Club, for a free birthday breakfast.

Firehouse Subs

IHOP

A free full stack of pancakes on your birthday when you sign up. You’ll also receive a free stack just for signing up, and once a year. That’s a lot of free pancakes.

Jason’s Deli

Jersey Mike’s

Free sub and drink on your birthday when you sign up for e-mails.

Krispy Kreme

Download Krispy Kreme’s app and get a free gift on your birthday. Other offers vary by location.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Monkey Wrench

Sign up for the birthday club and each member of your family will receive a $15 dine-in credit or $10 Off carry-out order for their birthday

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Join the eclub and get a free bundlet on your birthday.

Olive Garden

Join Olive Garden EClub for a free birthday dessert.

Outback

Free birthday dessert at Outback Steakhouse. Sign up at their site.

Panera Bread

Receive a free bakery treat via Panera Bread’s rewards Panera Card.

P.F. Chang’s

Join P.F. Chang’s rewards program for a birthday treat reward.

Pepsi

Children on their 6th birthday get a free Pepsi Party Pack that month in Greenville. See our article on the Pepsi Party Pack for details.

Planet Smoothie

Planet Smoothie E-Club Members receive a free birthday smoothie.

Red Lobster

Members who join the Fresh Catch Club at least 7 days before their birthday, will receive a special offer.

Red Robin

Free burger on your birthday when you join Red Robin Royalty.

Sephora

Choose a free birthday gift from Sephora when you sign up for their Insiders club.

Sidewall Pizza

Free pizza on your birthday when you sign up for the Birthday Club.

Starbucks

Join Starbucks Rewards and receive a free drink on your birthday.

Steak ‘N Shake

eClub members at Steak ‘N Shake will receive a birthday coupon.

Texas Roadhouse

Subscribe to Texas Roadhouse for free deals and birthday offers.

Which Which

Vibe Club members receive a free which on their birthday.

Whistle Stop

Enjoy a train themed meal at Whistle Stop and receive a complimentary birthday dessert.

Zaxby’s

Zax E-mail Club members get a free Nibbler on their birthday, and a free sandwich meal just for joining the club.

Check out the birthday treat bear offered on kids’ birthdays at Build-A-Bear Workshops.

Do you know of any other free birthday treats in Greenville? Let us know in the comments!

Everything You Wanted to Know about School Food in Greenville County

Have you ever wondered what your kids are eating for lunch? Local mom Kristina Hernandez interviewed Joe Urban, director of Food and Nutrition Services of Greenville County Schools. She asked him all the questions about school food that you might have wondered about but never asked. Here are the answers!

Food. Our kids eat it every day at school during the school year. They grab those lunch trays and peruse the options, talk to the nice lunch lady, and ultimately choose what they want to nourish their bodies and get through the rest of the day.

But where does that food come from and who decides what to make?

Last year at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate’s Countdown to Kindergarten event, I met Joe Urban. Joe and his team were manning the new Greenville County Food Services (GCFS) food truck, a somewhat revolutionary concept that brings much-needed food into under served areas of the county.

I ended up having a great conversation with him and started following his Instagram account (@schoolfoodrocks), which seriously made me want to get in line with my kid at school every day to try their lunch options. They post all kind of yummy options – roasted vegetables, fish tacos, and braised brisket – stuff that I’d love to learn to cook in my own kitchen. This was no ordinary school lunch food. My interest was piqued so I reached out to Joe to learn more.

As the school year heats up, Joe and his team are working hard to deliver tasty and healthy options to 76,000 kids in 101 school and special centers. They have 750 employees who serve breakfast, lunch and after school snacks and are the largest food service program in the state, and 44th in the entire nation.

Joe is the Director for the Food and Nutrition Services department of Greenville County Schools, which means he oversees the food service operations for all Greenville County Schools locations. He was kind enough to answer our questions about food service at Greenville County schools.

My conversation with Joe Urban

Kidding Around Greenville: How does the Greenville County Schools Food and Nutrition Services decide what to serve every day at GC schools?

Joe Urban: We have developed a three-week repeating cycle menu for all grade levels. Elementary students have four different menu choices every day for lunch, and Middle and High students have seven to nine different choices every day. All schools offer a scratch-made Soup and Salad Bar three times each week and up to six different varieties of fresh fruit selections daily. The cycle menu will be modified twice during the school year to account for new recipes and seasonal ingredients.

KAG: How do you come up with new recipes?

JU: We pay close attention to trends in the foodservice industry and develop recipes based on what is hot right now in the fast casual and higher education (college) segments of the industry.

Today’s students are very food savvy and demand higher quality ingredients. Students love international foods, especially Asian, Italian, and Mexican and they also like to customize their meals. We listen closely to what they say and develop our menus accordingly.

Good examples of this include our Build Your Own Taco Bar, the Build Your Own Mashed Potato Bar, the Build Your Own Mac-N-Cheese Bar, our student-created Penne Pasta Pie, our new Meatball Sub, and our new Build Your Own Grain Bowls featuring Korean BBQ and Mahi Mahi with a large variety of topping choices including Kimchi and Pickled Red Onions.

High quality seafood including Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon, Mahi Mahi, Alaskan Pollock, Catfish and others will be served a minimum of once per week in Elementary schools and twice per week in Middle and High schools this year. New concepts including a Build Your Own Chicken & Waffle Bar, a scratch-made Soup & Sandwich Bar, a Build Your Own Burger Bar and others are currently in development and will be tested with students during this upcoming school year.

KAG: Where do you source your ingredients?

JU: We work with a number of local vendors and source as many products as possible locally. Through our produce vendor, we have developed strong relationships with local farmers who plant fields specifically based on the needs of Greenville County Schools.

We have also entered into a new partnership with a local cattle farmer in Brasstown, NC to source all the ground beef we will be using in our scratch-made meals. These cattle are humanely raised, fed a strict vegetarian diet, are always on grass, and are never treated with antibiotics. Fresh, no antibiotic ever beef in school meals is a huge commitment on our part to ensure our students only receive the highest quality food possible.

KAG: Greenville County Schools Food and Nutrition Services is the largest in the state. How do you manage serving good food on a daily basis to thousands of kids a day?

JU: It takes a huge team of highly trained and dedicated foodservice employees to meet our quality standards on a daily basis. We are very fortunate to have buy in from our employees on our mission to reinvent school food. We believe that we are positioned correctly at this time in our careers to push the perceived boundaries of school food service and provide our students with the greatest dining experiences possible.

KAG: Can you tell me a bit about your food truck? It’s pretty new, right?

JU: We purchased the food truck one year ago to help us increase the number of meals we can provide to needy students during the summer months. We operate more than 50 school and community feeding sites in the summer months as part of the USDA funded Summer Food Service Program.

We realized quickly that although we had these sites scattered throughout the county, there were many pockets of our community that needed our services but were not able to make it to one of our sites due to transportation issues. The food truck is the perfect answer to that issue: we simply take the food right to the kids that need it the most.

During the school year, it gets used as surprise pop up events at high schools to sample new menu items during lunch, sample fresh fruit to elementary students, and support various school functions.

KAG: Can parents volunteer to help Greenville County Schools Food and Nutrition Services come up with recipes/test food – or is there something parents can do to help your mission?

JU: We welcome any suggestions and parents are always welcome to come sample items with us during their student’s lunch period.

KAG: Your Instagram page looks delicious. How do you decide which schools get to try out those meals?

JU: The vast majority of the food shown on all of our social media platforms are served at all schools. When we test out new items the schools are chosen by random so we can test the items out with different students as often as possible.

You can follow Greenville County Food Services on Facebook at Greenville County Schools Food and Nutrition Services, on Twitter at SchoolFoodRocks, and on Instagram at @SchoolFoodRocks.

Will you look at school lunches in a new light this school year?

Meet Kristina, KAG Food Expert

Kristina Hernandez is a mom of two girls, freelance writer and photographer and New Jersey native who is thrilled to call the Upstate her new home. She loves cooking, trying new foods, and checking out all that Greenville has to offer.

Piney Mountain Bike Lounge Has a Pump Track Out Back

Local mom Liene reviews Piney Mountain Bike Lounge in Greenville, SC. This unique bicycle shop and taproom should be on your summer bucket list!

There is one spot that definitely needs to be on your bucket list this summer if you live in Greenville and have kids who enjoy riding bikes – Piney Mountain Bike Lounge!

Piney Mountain Bike Lounge is a cross between a bicycle shop and a taproom, complete with a pump track out back! Located between downtown and Paris Mountain, the Lounge caters to mountain bikers on their way to and from the mountains. It has also become a gathering spot for the local community to come together and share their love for riding – or share their love for craft beer while their kids are busy wearing themselves out on the dirt bike course!

Why we love Piney Mountain Bike Lounge

Our most recent visit was a weekday. The boys were all still running full steam, wearing on my last nerve. We still had several hours of daylight, and so we loaded up three kids, three bikes and three helmets and headed to Piney Mountain Road.

Although the exterior looks much like it did when it was the Landscapers Supply, the interior has been completely revamped. On one side is the bar, serving up craft beer alongside what is the bicycle repair space. On the other side is a lounge, complete with couches, a foosball table and handlebars in the place of mounted trophies. The center is filled with all the latest cycling gear and bicycles, trail maps on the walls of favorite dirt biking destinations in the area. Finally, in the back you’ll find the former loading dock, converted to outdoor patio. Full of picnic tables, the space overlooks the pump track, a small, looping trail system that you can ideally ride continuously without pedaling.

Since their grand opening in March, Piney Mountain has settled in with a rotation of food trucks to make the Lounge truly a one-stop evening hot-spot. Including Upstate favorites such as Automatic Taco, Ellada Kouzina and Chuck Truck, for the current schedule check the website or follow Piney Mountain Bike Lounge on Facebook. For the beer enthusiasts, a list of the 14 regional and local craft beers on tap can be found here. The pump track is closed when it’s wet for safety reasons as well as to protect the track, and a waiver must be signed before use. Usually one of us will take the boys & bikes around to the track and get them set up, while the other orders food and beer and gets settled in at one of the tables by the track – then it’s just a matter of shouting out a few encouraging words to keep them circling the track while we enjoy our meal.

Piney Mountain offers a variety of tune-up and service options as well as a demo option if you’re looking to buy a bicycle but not quite ready to commit. For those with kids in middle or high school that might be interested in a mountain biking team, NICA (the National Interscholastic Cycling association) is coming to Greenville and often meets with Piney Mountain – check out Upstate Composite on Facebook for more info.

When it comes down to it, I’m really more of a Swamp Rabbit Trail gal than a Paris Mountain cyclist, but Piney Mountain is a great addition to the cycling scene in the Upstate. Whether you’re looking to get your bike ready for the season, catch up with friends after a day at Paris Mountain, or just ‘cycle’ through some of that energy in the kids on these long days, make sure to swing by the Lounge this summer!

Plan your own trip to Piney Mountain Bike Lounge

20 Piney Mountain Road, Greenville
864.603.2453

For more information about Piney Mountain Bike Lounge visit their website. They can also be found on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook

See Liene’s original post on her blog, Femme au Foyer, here.

Does your family love to bike together? Don’t miss our list of places to ride your bike in Greenville.

Would your family love Piney Mountain Bike Lounge as much as mine does?

Meet Liene

Mother of three young boys, Liene is constantly on the move since returning to Greenville in 2012. Whether she’s exploring the state parks and natural areas of the Carolinas or teaming up with other moms to organize activities for the kids, she’s always searching for the next adventure in the Upstate. For everything from hiking, travel, cooking and crafts to multicultural & global education posts, visit her blog, Femme au Foyer.