Children who eat breakfast at the start of their school day have higher math and reading scores, have broader vocabularies, and perform better on standardized tests. They focus better, behave better, and are more cooperative and get along better with classmates. Children who eat breakfast are less likely to be absent and less likely to see the school nurse and be overweight.

• All Whole Grain Rich Items

• Calorie Restrictions – Daily Amount Based on Average for 5-Day Week

• Three Food Components – Fruits/Vegetables, Grains, & Milk

• Fruits/Vegetables – 1/2 cup must be offered daily to all age groups

• Grains – 1 oz. equivalent of grains must be offered daily to all age groups

• Milk – 1 cup of fat free (unflavored or flavored) or low fat must be offered daily to all age groups

• Meat/Meat Alternate – currently no requirement to offer meat/meat alternate. Schools may offer a meat/meat alternate in place of part of grains component after the minimum daily grain requirement is offered. A serving of 1 oz. of meat/meat alternate may credit as 1 oz. of grains.

 

A lunch consists of a meat or meat alternate, grain, fruit, vegetable, and milk. A student may select all 5 items; however, they may choose a minimum of 3 of the 5 items (one of which must be a vegetable or fruit).

If the Food Service Department receives a note from your child's physician noting an allergy to dairy products, the note must indicate the necessity to substitute a juice for a milk. Otherwise, if not stated in the note, the child may get a drink from the water fountain or may purchase a non-dairy alternative drink through the cafeteria.

 

The answer may surprise you.

 

Today's school lunch:

- offering students fruits and vegetables every day

- increasing offerings of whole grains

- limiting calories, fat and sodium to age-appropriate levels

- introducing locally-grown ingredients and fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps