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

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

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

4. 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: NSLP participation data downloaded from:

5. 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: NSLP participation data downloaded from:

6. 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,

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

8. 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,

9. (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,
This number is easily available at Download the data file for your district or school.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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.

19. 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?

20. 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.

21. 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.

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

23. School Lunch 2 to evaluate…
Meal 2

24. 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!

25. 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

26. Resources
Key Actors in School Food Policy and Programs, School Food Focus
content/uploads/2016/01/ FOCUSToolkitKeyActors.pdf
Making the Case, Center for Ecoliteracy