Why, History and Guidelines School Lunch 101 Why, History and Guidelines

School meals are a big opportunity for positive change in California.

In California… Ask, “How many meals are served in school food programs in California?

school meals served per year 830 MILLION school meals served per year Per year, over 830 million meals (lunch and breakfast) served in California Source: 2013-14 NSLP participation data downloaded from: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/#annual

school meals served on a typical day 4.4 MILLION school meals served on a typical day On a typical school day, 4.4 million school meals (lunch or breakfast) are served to children in California Not including afterschool snacks or supper Source: 2013-14 NSLP participation data downloaded from: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/#annual

Why do School Meals Matter? School meals provide the nutrition children need! Children who participate in the National School Lunch Program have better nutritional intakes compared to those that do not participate Proper nutrition improves a child’s behavior, school performance, and cognitive development Properly nourished children more actively participate in the education experience A healthy eating environment teaches children good nutrition and the elements of a proper diet, which can have positive effects on children’s eating habits and physical well-being throughout life Critically important to make sure that meals are nutritious and accessible to children, providing them with the nutrition they need to learn, grow and succeed. Active participation in education benefits the children themselves, their fellow students, and the entire school community Source: FRAC facts: National School Lunch Program, http://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cnnslp.pdf

of children live in poverty 23% of children live in poverty Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

children live in households that are food insecure 2 MILLION children live in households that are food insecure In California Around 2 million children live in households that are food insecure in California Food insecure= unable to consistently afford enough food Source: Feeding America, http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/our-research/map-the-meal-gap/2013/CA_AllCounties_CDs_CFI_2013.pdf

(Insert the % in your school district See notes below for URL) In some districts 70% of students are eligible for free and reduced price meals In many counties in SoCal, the % eligible for FRP is even higher- 67.7% in LA County, 70.2% in San Bernardino, 63.2% in Riverside, (2014) Source: FRP eligible percentage from Student Eligibility to Receive Free or Reduced Price School Meals, http://www.kidsdata.org This number is easily available at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sd/sd/filessp.asp Download the data file for your district or school.

History of School Food Programs 1946 the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) 1966 the School Breakfast Program (SBP) was piloted and became a permanent program in 1975 Purpose: to provide free and affordable nutrition to children during the school day National school lunch program has been a mainstay of American education and culture for decades! (created in 1946) “as a measure of national security to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the nation’s children” About 7.1 million children were participating in the National School Lunch Program by the end of its first year, 1946‐47 In 2012, 31.6 million children each day got their lunch through the National School Lunch Program

History of School Food Programs The rise of early onset obesity and obesity- related issues in children has increased calls for school food reform nationwide Movement has sprung up and there’s a role for people in it! In Los Angeles the work began over 16 years ago. Since then school food has seen increasing and significant progress locally, at the state level and nationally What is our school lunch focus? What is our school lunch focus is open ended and a point of investigation for your students. Look in both your site information and consider having your school lunch director talk.

Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act passed by Congress in December 2010 Sought to improve the nutritional quality of school food Strengthened nutrition standards Significant increases in whole grains and fresh produce served in schools, Reductions in sodium and saturated fat Regulations of competitive food to make ALL food available to students healthier What is competitive food? This includes vendors like Taco Bell (a vendor at many schools) etc.. Or vending machines.

How School Food Programs Work Federal government programs Congress United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Department of Health and Human Services Administered by the state Operated by the districts Benefits are felt at the site level! Federal Congress: sets broad policy USDA: As outlined by Congress, implements program DHHS and USDA set the dietary guidelines for America which influence broad policies, such as the nutrition standards for the meals State government CA state agency, department of education, nutrition services division, Monitors compliance with federal rules Operated by the districts, you’ll hear Laura Benavidez, co-director of LAUSD nutrition services speak later about the programs that her department operates Plans and prepares menus that meet state and federal guidelines Hire cafeteria staff Maintain facilities Operationalized by the schools, where they actually have to provide the school nutrition standards frontline staff prepare and serve school meals Children at schools see the benefits! Example for nutrition standards, next 3 slides

Funding for School Food Programs Congress sets funding levels $31,525 for a family of four = Free Lunch $44,863 for a family of four = Reduced price lunch USDA distributes federal funding to state agencies State government provides additional funds and distributes all reimbursement monies Free lunch = income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL) - $31,525 for a family of four Reduced price lunch = income between 130% and 185% of FPL - $44,863 for a family of four

Nutrition of School Food Programs School foods must meet meal pattern and nutrition standards based on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The current meal pattern increases the availability of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the school menu

Nutrition of School Food Programs The USDA requires that school food programs provide 5 components to ensure balanced nutrition Cafeterias must offer the following components Students must take at least 3 food components in order to have a reimbursable meal

Nutrition of School Food Programs Is this a complete, or reimbursable meal? Dairy Grain Fruit Protein Vegetables

Food Services Leadership Food Services runs school food programs according to federal, state and local regulations from budgets, to nutrition guidelines, promotes nutrition Ensures staff is trained in food preparation, costumer service, record keeping and all management related the operations of school cafeterias Most districts have a department focused specifically on running nutrition programs. This department has a budget and various regulations to follow. We have provided you with a Toolkit that presents the parameters of this department.

School Leadership The principal ensures bell schedules allow for enough time to eat Ensures enforcement of competitive sales policies Leads the Wellness Policies efforts at the school site As heads of schools, Principals can set the tone for wellness in schools and be creative about including nutrition messages in all school activities What role would a principal have in school nutrition?

Cafeteria Leadership The Cafeteria Manager operates school nutrition programs in schools Ensures that meals are prepared according to standard and that every student takes a reimbursable meal Of course Managers are also in charge of ordering food, staff management, etc.

Teachers, Parents, other staff Adults can be role models and support healthy nutrition, especially in cafeterias Breakfast in the Classroom Connecting nutrition and food to topics in classroom Working with students and parents to ensure no ensure no outside foods are brought in for fundraisers Add picture of your community if you want??? There are usually pictures on the district website.

Let’s evaluate meals… Meal 1 What criteria does this meal fulfill? Use your guided notes to evaluate…..

School Lunch 2 to evaluate… Meal 2

How about this lunch? Whole grain rice would add a better component.. This meal has protein (chicken), rice, vegetables, fruit and lowfat milk. Great choices!

Plan a school lunch menu for the week Using your chart in the guided notes… Begin to plan a school lunch that meets the guidelines listed. My plate, number of servings Whole Grain Reduced salt and fat One serving of beans/legumes per week Bright orange Dark green

Resources Key Actors in School Food Policy and Programs, School Food Focus http://www.schoolfoodfocus.org/wp- content/uploads/2016/01/011116- FOCUSToolkitKeyActors.pdf Making the Case, Center for Ecoliteracy http://www.thecaseforschoolmeals.org