YES Prep is taking wellness on the road through Tour de YES, a traveling initiative that brings the Blender Bike experience directly to secondary campuses across the district. Led by the Child Nutrition team, the Blender Bikes blend movement and nutrition in a way students can see, feel and taste.
The tour officially kicked off at YES Prep Southwest Secondary, marking the first stop of several planned campus visits. By meeting students where they are, Tour de YES is designed to make wellness feel accessible, engaging and rooted in community.
“By blending movement and nutrition, we turn a lesson into an experience,” said Maria Carlos, manager of child nutrition operations. “When learning feels energizing and real, students are more engaged and more likely to remember it.”
Wellness students can experience
The Blender Bike experience grew from the Child Nutrition team’s focus on hands-on nutrition education that actively involves students in their learning. Rather than simply talking about healthy habits, the team wanted to create an experience that uses all five senses and encourages participation.
That approach is designed to spark discovery. Students will have the opportunity to try fresh ingredients, including fruits and vegetables they may not have tasted before, and explore how healthy choices can be both enjoyable and approachable. The goal is to help students rethink what wellness looks like and how it fits into their everyday lives.
“It is exciting to see students realize that healthy food can taste good and feel fun,” Carlos said. “That mindset shift is powerful.”
Taking wellness on the road
Instead of limiting the experience to one campus or event, the Child Nutrition team designed the blender bike’s Tour De YES to travel. The tour is bringing wellness directly to secondary campuses, removing barriers and increasing access.
At each stop, the Blender Bikes are expected to create excitement and connection. Students will cheer each other on, power their own smoothies and share the experience together. The energy is intended to build community and reinforce that wellness is for everyone.
“What stands out most is the joy and empowerment,” Carlos said. “Students love knowing they are literally powering their own smoothie.”
Smoothies with intention
Students prepare three smoothie options during the tour, each intentionally designed to include fruits and vegetables in flavorful combinations. Options include Yellow Finish Fuel with strawberries and raspberries, Blue Scholar Power with berries, bananas and yogurt, and Green Success Boost with spinach, pineapple and mango.
Each recipe introduces students to fresh ingredients while showing how nutritious choices can be both simple and enjoyable.
Innovation beyond the cafeteria
The Blender Bike Tour De YES reflects the creativity and innovation of the YES Prep Child Nutrition team beyond the lunch line. Alongside upcoming initiatives like hydroponic gardens and chef demonstrations, the tour highlights how nutrition education can be mobile, student-centered and engaging.
When students leave the Blender Bike experience, the hope is that they remember three things: wellness can be fun, their choices matter, and healthy eating is accessible.
Through movement, nutrition and excitement, the Blender Bike Tour De YES shows how YES Prep brings care and creativity together in meaningful ways.