CHILD NUTRITION INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

Good nutrition and learning go hand in hand!

The Child Nutrition department is made up of a team of food and nutrition professionals that are dedicated to students' health, well being and their ability to learn. We support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition and fitness practices.

Meals, foods and beverages sold or served at schools meet state and federal requirements which are based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines. We provide students with access to a variety of affordable and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students.

To increase the acceptance and consumption of school lunch, we utilize a provision known as “Offer versus Serve” in all of our lunch-rooms. This option is intended to reduce food waste by allowing children to choose three of the five meal components offered at each lunch; although we recommend all five components as the better value. Students must take 1/2 cup of fruit and/or vegetable to count as a meal.

The 5 meal components are:

• Meat /Meat Alternative:  Minimum of 1 oz. serving grades K-8 daily; 9 weekly. Minimum 2 oz. serving grades 9-12 daily; 10 weekly. Meat/Meat alternates consist of: lean meat, cheese, eggs, beans, yogurt, No Nut butter or seeds.
• Grains/Breads: Minimum 1 serving (1 oz. eq.) daily w/minimum 8 weekly for grades K thru 8; Minimum 2 servings (1 oz. eq.) daily with minimum of 10 weekly for grades 9 thru 12.
• Fruits:  Minimum ½ cup k-8 daily; 1 cup 9-12 daily.
• Vegetables:  Minimum 3/4 cup for grades K thru 8 daily; 1 cup for grades 9 thru 12 daily. All grades require selections from five different subgroups (dark-green leafy, red/orange, beans/legumes, starchy, other) to meet this component.
• Fluid Milk:  Minimum 8 oz. for grades K thru 12 daily.

Several different choices of entrée are offered each day in all Cafes. Choices include the published "menu" entrée, a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, salads and yogurt meals. Each entrée combines the meat and grain components. Several choices of fruit and vegetables are offered daily. Fat Free Milk is offered in chocolate and plain. Snacks, bottled water, and juices, approved by the Federal Smart Snack Regulations, are available for sale a la carte.

*Some items served/prepared in our kitchens may contain peanuts or tree nuts or may be made in a factory that processes products containing peanuts or tree nuts.

Note:  Menus are subject to change with little or no notice due to availability of product.

This Institution is an equal opportunity provider.