IN Plum Fall 2016 | Page 32

NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS The Food Service Department’s commitment to GOOD NUTRITION for our students keeps moving forward! Over the past several school years, we have put into place new nutrition standards for the meals we serve our students. For the 2016-2017 school year, we are continuing to strengthen our efforts to provide our students the best possible nutrition. Here’s how we are moving forward for lunch, breakfast, and healthy snacks this year: PLUM BOROUGH SCH OOL NE WS lum Borough FOR BREAKFAST: • We’re continuing our “FIRST THINGS FIRST” campaign to promote the importance of breakfast for students’ ability to learn in the morning. • Students must choose a fruit serving as part of their complete school breakfast. • In addition to fruit, students must take at least two other items for a complete breakfast, with lots of whole grain options, milk, occasional vegetable choices, and protein options too. FOR LUNCH: SMART SNACKS: • We’re continuing our “DON’T4GET!” campaign to remind students to choose at least one fruit or vegetable as part of their school lunch. • All of the grains we serve must be whole-grain rich, with the exception of some pastas. • Other recent changes are still in place, including: calorie maximums, on-going reductions in sodium, more choices and variety of fruits and vegetables, and less than 10% saturated fat and zero trans fat in all meals. • Fat-free (unflavored and flavored) and unflavored low-fat milk may be offered, but students can choose not to take milk if they choose enough other items. New regulations also apply to all snacks sold at school. These “Smart Snack” requirements cover ala carte entrees, sides and snacks offered in the cafeteria, plus all food sold at other venues at school – in school stores, snack bars, vending machines, etc. All of these foods must meet various criteria for whole-grain content, calories, sodium, fat (including saturated fat and trans fat), and total sugar. Allowable beverages will include water, fat-free (unflavored or flavored) and unflavored low-fat milk, 100% fruit and vegetable juice without added sweeteners. Child Nutrition Programs Children need healthy meals to learn. Plum Borough School District offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.25; lunch costs $2.60 for secondary, $2.35 for elementary. Your child(ren) may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch. For more information visit our website www. pbsd.k12.pa.us under “Departments” under “Food Service” or call Mrs. Griggle, Director of the Food Service Department at 412.798.6367. 30 Plum The Food Service Department Staff would like to wish everyone a HEALTHY and SUCCESSFUL 20162017 school year and we look forward to serving our students HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS, and DELICIOUS meals!