Student Nutrition Organizes an All-American Salute to School Lunch

National School Lunch Week Aims to Get Kids Excited About Healthy Choices

More than 32 million children eat school lunch everyday across the USA. The federally-funded National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides nutritionally balanced, healthy meals to students everyday. The program, which has been serving the nation’s children for over 60 years, requires school meals to meet federal, healthy nutrition standards by:

• Ensuring students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week;
• Substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods;
• Offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties;
• Limiting calories based on the age of children being served; and
• Reducing amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.

To celebrate the healthy lunch choices in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, schools will celebrate National School Lunch Week during the week of October 14-18, 2013. The theme, “School Lunch Across the USA”, will include events and activities that promote the benefits of healthy school lunches. It will also celebrate the flavors, ingredients, and culture of various regions of the USA. The campaign will put a spotlight on the healthy foods and positive changes that Carrollton-Farmers Branch schools have incorporated into their menus.

To get the students involved in celebrating the “School Lunch Across the USA” campaign, students will have the opportunity to win coupons for several of the schools’ newly introduced, healthy a la carte items throughout the week. At the end of the week, each elementary will also draw one student’s name who will win a Nook Simple Touch™, a prize that will also promote reading and education. Parents also have the opportunity to get involved in National School Lunch week by participating in the “Take Your Parents to Lunch Day” on Friday, October 18, 2013. On this day, parents will be able to come to their child’s school and enjoy the delicious meal options provided. Join us this coming week to celebrate the delicious and nutritious meals served daily to Carrollton-Farmers Branch students that help them to be successful in the school environment.