There continues to be much said in the media about how school lunches are not nutritious and there is a need by rule, regulation, or law to require more. In fact recently, there were new guidelines that are asking for more fruits, vegetables, and grains -- all of which are good.
However, I have to say that I couldn't be more pleased with the kinds of meals and nutrition provided by the RUSD food service division. They continually survey students and then craft responses to meet the student taste needs -- always keeping in mind the nutritional aspects. I was involved in one of those sessions lately. The District Chef (yes, with over 30,000 meals a day, we have a chef!) along with other food service folks were responding to questions and providing information. They brought samples (food!!) to illustrate what they were offering -- most impressive though was the poster that provided appealing descriptions of what was offered along with clear nutritional information (including calories, sodium, fiber, and fat content).
I don't know about you -- but I don't think this is like any cafeteria food I have experienced before!! Check out the poster yourself.
Nice poster but...
ReplyDeleteWhy are all the nutritional measurements in grams or milligrams except for fat? It is a percentage of...something. Why not specify fat in grams? Also, why are carbohydrates left off the list? As I use fat content as a major item in determining if I should eat something, there are as many if not more people that use the amount of carbohydrates as theirs.
Please take a look at the menu. Yes, the salad bar is awesome, there is no doubt about it. But the regular food that is being served on a daily basis could be a lot better. I could not believe that pop tarts are offered as a breakfast food. I think we still have a ways to go. When you are offering sugary cereals instead of oatmeal for example. Children will opt for pizza instead of the salad bar, and why does pizza have to be every week?
ReplyDeleteFamilies that can afford to feed their kids should be made to do so. RUSD gives out so much free food to kids that can actually afford to buy their own lunches. Much of it is wasted too. The kids don't even eat it.
ReplyDeleteThe food at the Elementary level is disgusting!! Maybe you need to come to Franklin and see how much of it goes into the trash can. The burritos are no better than the 25 cent ones that you can buy at the grocery store. They never follow the menu and are always out of food before the 4th/5th/6th graders get to eat. Sometimes they are stuck with yesterdays leftovers.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that chicken nuggets, chicken patties, and pizza are served frequently is testament that change needs to continue to happen. The salad bar is terrific...but the kids in my class that receive free lunch(apx.23 of 30 children) will opt for just pizza every single week on "pizza day." Why are we STILL serving them chicken nuggets?????There has to be something better out there...
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