Food Service

School Meal Requirements
 

Key changes for school menus:

• There will be food-based (calorie) menu planning for three grade groups: K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Portion sizes and recipes will be designed to meet the specific group.
• There will be calorie minimum and maximum levels.
• More fruits and vegetables will be available. 
• Students must select at least 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetable component for their trays (to allow the district to be reimbursed for a meal by the federal government).
• No trans fats are allowed, and there are continued limits on saturated fat. We add no butter to our vegetables, use only low-fat cheeses and lean proteins, and oven bake instead of fry all items.
• Milk choices will be: 1% white, skim, and fat free chocolate. 

Nutrition Guidelines

Meals served under the National School Lunch Program meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. School lunches provide one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of daily nutritional requirements appropriate for that grade level — protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories. No more than 30% of calories comes from fat, and less than 10% from saturated fat. Portion sizes are regulated by the National School Breakfast & Lunch Programs.

Benefits of School Lunch

In 2011 a study, conducted by the National Centers for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and published in the Journal of Economics, showed that participation in the National School Lunch Program reduces poor general health by 29%, obesity by at least 17% and not getting enough food to sustain an active, healthy life by 3.8%.

According to research published in 2010 by the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, just 1.1% of children's packed lunches meet nutritional standards for school meals. USDA research indicates that children who participate in the National School Lunch Program get better nutrition compared to those who do not participate.

For children, the National School Lunch Program provides a nutritious meal containing one-third of the recommended dietary allowance of necessary nutrients. For parents, the program offers a convenient method of providing a nutritionally balanced lunch at the lowest possible price. For schools, the program enhances children's learning abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well-being. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in class.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.