SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Summer school students in Santa Maria participate in a unique test on Friday.
Third graders at Robert Bruce Elementary School were asked to taste varieties of milk from dairy vendors bidding for a new contract with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
The students sat socially distanced and indicated whether they liked or disliked each milk on a sheet with either a smiley face or a sad face. There are three different companies that we are considering for a bid, so it is very important for us to make sure that whatever we have for the kids the kids approve, so they will be tasting some milk today, said Carlos Murta with Santa Maria-Bonita Food Services.
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Of course, where there is milk, there must be cookies. Taste-testers received a chocolate chip cookie for their assistance.
A student at Robert Bruce Elementary School on Friday taste-tests a carton of milk before giving it a grade a happy face or a sad face. (Maggie White / Santa Maria-Bonita School District photo)
While the district must choose the vendor based on the lowest responsible bidder, the results of the milk tasting will serve as feedback before a final decision, according to district spokeswoman Maggie White.
The brands that had higher than 60% approval aka smiley faces will go to the school board to be considered for winning the bid, White said.