SCHOOL LUNCH 101 Our school meal program is one of the lesser known “Wonders of the School World”. To make all of you aware of how the Child Nutrition Program operates, perhaps it is time for an “in-service” on “food service”.

DID YOU KNOW … In we served almost 409,000 lunches and over 122,000 breakfasts? This does not include sales to adults and a la carte items. Over 2,500 meal applications, thus far, have been tabulated, reviewed and entered into computerized cash registers for free and reduced price meals? All households submitting applications receive notification in writing and we receive more applications on a regular basis throughout the school year. The guidelines for eligibility for free or reduced meals is set by federal officials and overseen by the State Education Department Child Nutrition Unit. The guidelines are printed in public announcements and on the cover letter of the application At this time we have 47% of our students on free or reduced meals ? In 2008 we were at 38%

All food, equipment, materials and supplies are put out for bid in order to receive the best pricing possible Riverhead recently joined the Long Island School Food Service Directors Cooperative to try to get even better pricing DID YOU KNOW …

The annual budget for the Child Nutrition Program is approximately $1.75 million ? Karen Ball was a clinical and administrative dietitian before becoming the Executive Lunch Lady?

DID YOU KNOW …. We were the only school district on Long Island to receive the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant in 2008 and the only district to have the grant 2 years in a row?

Who’s the boss? Various groups and agencies oversee the child nutrition program Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Superintendent, School Board, Suffolk County Health Department, New York State Education Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture (let us not forget the auditors) The USDA and the New York State Education Department determine what types of foods meet the dietary guidelines as well as the quantities of each food type provide enough calories and nutrients to create a reimbursable meal. The good news: Both the federal and state governments give us money and food for following their guidelines The bad news: We do not receive enough money to cover our expenses and the food isn’t necessarily what students like (or what I want to serve)

What is a reimbursable meal? A reimbursable meal is a meal for which the state and federal governments will reimburse money to our program because we are following their guidelines. There are different levels of reimbursement for any given meal based on the following categories: First, is the meal Free, Reduced or a Paid meal? Second, is the building where the meal is being served considered a severe need school or a non- severe need school ?

What kind of school am I? The determination of a severe need or non- severe need school is based on the number of free and reduced students in that particular school and their participation in the program. Over 40 % of students on free and reduced meals need to eat school lunch on a daily basis in order to qualify as a severe need school. The determination of a severe need or non- severe need school is based on the number of free and reduced students in that particular school and their participation in the program. Over 40 % of students on free and reduced meals need to eat school lunch on a daily basis in order to qualify as a severe need school.

What’s for Lunch? Food items put on the menu each month are determined by several factors: 1.)Popularity – Surveys and plate waste studies determine what the students enjoy and buy most often Every meal is accounted for, as are the leftover items

RIVERHEAD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FOOD SERVICE DEPARTMENT STUDENT SURVEY HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HOT LUNCHES? : CIRCLE ONE FOR EACH FOOD PLEASE: CHICKEN NUGGETS: GOOD - OK - YUKCHICKEN PATTY: GOOD - OK - YUK HAMBURGER: GOOD - OK - YUKCHEESEBURGER: GOOD - OK - YUK TACOS: GOOD - OK - YUKGRILLED CHEESE: GOOD - OK - YUK FRENCH TOAST STICKS: GOOD - OK - YUKMACARONI&CHEESE: GOOD - OK - YUK PIZZA: GOOD - OK - YUKMEATBALL HERO: GOOD - OK - YUK FRANKFURTER : GOOD - OK - YUKPOPCORN CHICKEN: GOOD - OK - YUK WHAT IS SOMETHING NEW YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ON THE MENU? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SANDWICHES ?: CIRCLE ONE FOR EACH FOOD PLEASE: BOLOGNA : GOOD - OK - YUKTURKEY: GOOD - OK - YUK TUNA: GOOD - OK - YUKHAM: GOOD - OK - YUK T URKEY SALAD – GOOD - OK - YUKCHEESE: GOOD - OK - YUK PEANUTBUTTER & JELLY: GOOD - OK - YUK EGG SALAD: GOOD - OK - YUK HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE CHOICE OF BREAD? : CIRCLE ONE FOR EACH FOOD PLEASE: WHOLE WHEAT: GOOD - OK - YUK RYE: GOOD - OK - YUK HONEY WHEAT WRAP: GOOD - OK - YUKKID’S WHITE: GOOD - OK - YUK BUN: GOOD - OK - YUK WHOLE GRAIN ROLL: GOOD - OK - YUK WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FRUITS ? : WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE VEGETABLES ? :

What’s for Lunch? 2.) USDA and New York State requirements: 5 components make a reimbursable meal - a) milk (a variety must be offered includingflavored milk) b) a serving of protein (2oz.- 3 oz.) c) one or more bread servings (8 for the week) d) a vegetable serving e) a fruit serving

What’s for Lunch 3.) Government Donated Foods - The federal government works with farmers to produce foods for various federal programs. Schools can receive these foods as part of their government subsidy, however, you cannot receive the money in place of the food. The foods offered include french fries, potato puffs, american cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, canned vegetables, pasta, canned fruit, ground beef and peanut butter

What’s for Lunch? 4) Cost- An average elementary school lunch costs approximately $2.71 to prepare and serve. We receive $2.34 in sale and reimbursement monies for a paid meal, $2.78 for a reduced meal and $2.79 for a free meal Last year the Child Nutrition Program lost over $31,000

What’s for Lunch? 5) What can fit into the little pans …. Riverhead switched over to a satellite form of food service distribution over 20 years ago. As a result, elementary schools are restricted in what can be offered to our students as the meal components need to fit in small aluminum and plastic containers.

What we’ve been doing to improve: We’ve put in a computerized system to accurately determine the number and eligibility status of meals being consumed each day and to allow for online payments.

We’ve introduced a number of choices for meals each day in the elementary schools including wraps, grilled chicken salads, chef’s salads, and assorted sandwiches.

Healthier Generation Bronze Award In July of 2009, Sandra Hummer, Health Education teacher at the Pulaski Street School, had the opportunity to meet President Bill Clinton while receiving our bronze award for meeting the stringent criteria set by the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association. West Babylon School District was the only other school district on Long Island to receive this recognition.

2009 NY State Best Practices Award for Excellence in Promoting Healthy Choices/Nutrition Education

Riverhead Central School District Wellness Committee Our Wellness Committee meets several times throughout the school year. This year we are working on classroom gardening, having all schools register to become Team Nutrition Schools, applying for the Silver Award for the Pulaski Street School and tabulating survey results to see any positive changes in our community

Riverhead Schools Wellness Survey NOT JUST FOR KIDS !!!! Riverhead Schools is taking on the challenge to make our town one of the healthiest in the country! The goal is to show what we are doing as a community to be well both nutritionally and physically. The Wellness committee will track the results of surveys throughout the school year to see how well we do. Please take a few moments to complete the survey below: 1. What is your school/age group? Pre School, Elementary (K-4) (5-6), Middle School (7-8), H. S. (9-12), College, Adult, Have you ever heard of the New Food Pyramid? Yes No 3. Do you know the major food groups? Yes No 4. About how much physical activity do you get per day? 15 min, 30 min, 45 min 1 hour, more? 5. How many days per week? Do you participate in any sports programs? Yes No 7. What is your favorite drink? Milk, water, juice, soda, energy drinks 8. How often do you eat vegetables each day? 9. What are your favorite vegetables? 10. How often do you eat fruit each day? 11. What are your favorite fruits? 12. Please ask your own Wellness Question:

Students with Special Dietary Needs District wide we have students that may require special diets due to food allergies or intolerance. A physician’s note specifying the allergy, as well as suitable food substitutes, is necessary in order to provide the student with the alternate meals requested. The Child Nutrition Office works closely with school nurses to address food allergy situations.

I have a dream….. In the future I hope for the following for our students Universal breakfast program Full service kitchens School gardens Foods without preservatives Every school in the district will be a team nutrition school In- house baking Happy healthy families