TONTOGANY — All hail the Knights Chicken Bowl.
The lunch mix of chicken, gravy, corn and mashed potatoes is a favorite of students in the Otsego Local
School District.
Food Service Director Jeanne Jeffers is not only sharing the popular menu item, but also paring it down
from a serving of 430 to four.
Jeffers and staff usually prepare about 400 lunches on a regular school day; there are 940 students at
the junior high and high schools. But when the bowl is on the menu, the number’s bumped up.
“I think they like it because they feel like they’re getting one large amount of food. It’s comfort food.
How can you go wrong with chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and gravy?”
Sophomore Noah Svanberg agreed, saying the flavors gel together well.
“I recommend light mashed potatoes,” he added.
Svanberg has other favorites served in the Otsego cafeteria: Meatball Sub, Philly Cheesesteak and
Alfredo.
Jeffers said she would never consider substituting ingredients — such as corn for peas — although feel
free to try it at home.
“I think they’d scalp me. They’d bring it back to me and say, ‘Ms. Jeanne, there’s something wrong with
this,’” Jeffers said of making changes.
The bowl is served three times over a five-week period during Otsego lunches.
To go along with federal guidelines, it’s accompanied with fresh carrots, juice, milk, dinner roll and
another fruit.
Because of those nutritional guidelines, the bowl can’t be served to elementary students. A couple of
ingredients would have to be removed. Then there’s the idea of all those components being mixed together
— an ick factor for young ones, Jeffers said.
“A lot of little kids don’t like their food to touch.”
It’s definitely difficult to adhere to standards, and make meals that students will eat, Jeffers said.

The requirements for an older student’s lunch include serving at least one fruit, vegetable, grain, meat
and milk; some, such as the fruit, must have two servings taken.
“The standards — you have to meet all the guidelines — but you have to fix things the kids are going to
like.”
She’s always open to new ideas. When Jeffers first started the job, a colleague told her she really had
to offer some more choices during lunch.
Jeffers kept the “classic” lunch line, which serves the menu item of the day, but opened another line
with “specials” that change every day. They include chicken wings, burgers, nachos, breadsticks and
pizza.
The chicken bowl has been served at Otsego for a number of years, well before Jeffers was named food
service director three years ago.
“I personally cannot take the credit for it. I inherited it.”
Credit does go to Jeffers for an improvement in the annual musical and dinner that is offered to seniors
in the Otsego community. This year’s event on March 15 featured “Pirates of Penzance,” put on by
students.
When Jeffers first started, store-bought pies were served at the dinner.
“I had a hard time fathoming that.”
Despite the huge undertaking, Jeffers, along with Transportation and Maintenance Director Eva Vasher (a
Cook’s Corner from last fall), make 36 pies for the seniors, churning out Coconut Cream, Peanut Butter,
Strawberry and Lemon.
The pies have already gained a good reputation, Jeffers said. Some seniors showed up a half-hour early
for the 5:45 p.m. meal — requesting dessert before dinner.
“It’s funny as the dickens,” she said, chuckling.
Jeffers calls herself a “pretty decent cook” who makes a mean lasagna — which is husband Patrick’s
favorite — and cans salsa and jellies.
She and Patrick live in Grand Rapids. There are five grown children , Sarah, Mark, Amanda, Luther and
Amy, and seven grandchildren. The couple is active with the Five Point Steam Threshers.
Before being named food service director, she was a bus driver for two years and worked as an operations
manager in manufacturing for 17 years.
Jeffers enjoys interacting with the students during lunch and challenges herself to connect with kids who
seem withdrawn or quiet.
She also tries not to take it personal when lunches end up in the trash. After all, kids will be kids —
evident by the all-time favorite choice for lunch, which still reigns at Otsego.
“The one thing the kids like is a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. They’re always a hit.”