NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK

Copyright © 2008 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org

NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK

October 13-17, 2008

School/DistrictDate


• The facts about School Lunch and School Meals

• National School Lunch Week

• Vote for School Lunch

• Getting Involved

AgendaAgenda


• School Lunch – Increasing participation in NSLP– 30.5 million children served daily in 2007– 95% of schools participate in NSLP

• Our district’s School Lunch Program:

School Lunch – The Facts


• School lunch is healthier than ever• Kids are offered healthy, tasty and

appealing choices:– Fresh fruits and vegetables– Whole grains– Reduced or zero TransFats– Salad Bars– Pizza with whole grain crust, low-fat cheese– Whole grain pasta– Baked items rather than fried– Healthful cooking/preparation techniques



• School lunch is balanced and healthy- Lunches that are part of the National School Lunch Program

(NSLP) must meet nutrition guidelines including:- limiting fat and saturated fat in meals - providing one-third of the Recommended Dietary

Allowance (RDA) of protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C.

- NSLP lunches meet the dietary guidelines. - NSLP lunches are served in age appropriate portion sizes

and provide the right balance of protein, dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.



• School lunch helps kids maintain a healthy weight – Students who eat school meals provided through the NSLP are

more likely to be at a healthy weight.* – NSLP participants are more likely than non-participants to

consume vegetables, milk and milk products, and meat and other protein-rich foods, both at lunch and over 24 hours; they also consume less soda and/or fruit drinks.**

– This benefit is especially relevant for kids and their parents in today’s climate of heightened awareness of obesity issue.

– Students are less likely to gain weight during the school year when in school than during the summer when school is out.

*Source Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, August 2003**Source USDA



• School meals help students to do better in school– Research has shown that students who eat school meals

perform their best academically.– Students who eat school breakfast have greater gains in

standardized test scores and show improvements in math, reading and vocabulary scores.*

– Healthy eating correlates with less trips to the school nurse and less absenteeism.

– Providing nutritious school breakfast on testing days – and every school day - leads to improved test scores.

*Source: Classroom Breakfast Scores High in Maryland, Maryland Meals for Achievement. October 2001



• School meals are safe- USDA commodities used in the NSLP are safe and

part of a nutritious school lunch.

- School nutrition professionals have rigorous training in food safety and have implemented a HACCP Plan.

- School kitchens are subject to two health inspections annually conducted by the local health department.

- According to the Food and Drug Administration, school kitchens are among the safest of commercial and institutional foodservice establishments.



• National School Lunch Week- Annual celebration of National School Lunch Program

(NSLP), using a fun theme - Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 - Opportunity to highlight the important, positive role of

school lunch in our nation

• NSLW 2008 is October 13-17, 2008

National School Lunch Week


• The Presidential Edition is the culmination of a 3 year campaign.

• Students vote for their favorite and the winner will be elected President of School Lunch– 5 popular entrées campaigning for votes

– Polls open from August 1 – October 17, 2008

– Winner announced on October 24, 2008

• Kids get to vote for a President too!- Great chance for kids to learn about electoral process especially in

an election year

• Opportunity to tell the world about the benefits of School Lunch

Vote for School Lunch – Presidential Edition


• How does it work?- The School Nutrition Association (SNA) and

schools around the country promote the candidates and the vote

- Students vote at www.VoteForSchoolLunch.org or by paper ballot in schools

- SNA tallies the results and announces the nation’s favorite school lunch



• Vote for School Lunch Goals- Drive awareness of the benefits of School Lunch

from Back to School through National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in October

- Key Messages- Great tasting food is served in nutritious, balanced, kid-

appropriate portion sizes in schools- School Lunches have changed for the better– correct

misconceptions about school lunch



What’s New For the Presidential Edition

• Design a Candidate Winners– 3 candidates were created by the

students who won the national 2007 Vote for School Lunch Design a Candidate contest.

– Meet the three new, yummy and

nutritious candidates: • Larry Lasagna

Phoebe, Grade 5, VA

• Gloria Grilled Cheese

Tammara, Grade 4, OH

• Petunia Pita Pocket

Whitney, Grade 3, CO


What’s New For the Presidential Edition• Eat Right, Be Active!

– ‘Vote’ promotes an important wellness message that school meals provide the energy and nutrition that students need to excel in extracurricular sports, as well as academic pursuits.

– All the candidates are dressed and ready for action:• Gloria Grilled Cheese – Ice Skating• Larry Lasagna – Street Dancing• Petunia Pita Pocket – Soccer• Biff Burger – Football• Pete Pizza - Pizza


2006 & 2007 Results

2006 Primary Winner 2007 Primary Winner

42% of the 2006 vote 34% of the 2007 vote


Meet the 2008 Candidates


Gloria Grilled Cheese

I offer some serious “grill” power, from

whole-wheat slices of bread to calcium-packed

cheese.

Design A Candidate Winner


Larry Lasagna

I’m practically a meal by myself. I am a perfect blend of zesty tomato sauce, low-fat cheese and whole-grain pasta. I also pack a vitamin punch with extra vegetables—perfect for powering your school day.



Petunia Pita Pocket

I offer protein-packed turkey, nutritious broccoli slaw and even cheese? Did you know that these nutritious ingredients come in a fun, whole-grain pita pocket?



Pete Pizza

I’m healthy, especially when made from

lowfat cheese and a whole-wheat crust.

I can also be topped with nutritious veggies

and lean meat.

2006 Winner


Biff Burger

2007 Winner

Burgers in schools are usually made with lean meat, whole wheat buns and topped with veggies.


Ideas for Our Schools

• Serve each candidate once a week

• Paper Ballots: have students tally up votes per grade or school

• Create a Voting Day for each grade

• In this election year, work with teachers to help promote the theme, and teach about the election process

• Create low-cost costumes for kids or staff


Ideas for Our Schools

• Create a vote celebration day and invite the media to attend. What would our celebration day include?

• How can we use this campaign to drive awareness of the message of healthy school meals and correct misperceptions about school lunch?

• How can we involve students, parents, teachers and administrators?


• Parents– Parents and school nutrition professionals share the

same goals: • Well-balanced nutritious meals for their kids• Creating healthy eating habits for life

– Parents are role models and influence what kids eat– Encourage healthy eating and lifestyles at home for

you and your kids (actions speak louder than words…)

– Create a “Fuel” night at PTO or PTAs– Visit www.VoteForSchoolLunch.org with your kids,

and vote for your favorite

Getting Involved


• Parents– Review the cafeteria menu with your kids to help

them plan for a balanced meal– Join your kids for school lunch during National

School Lunch Week or any time during the year– Communicate any concerns or special diets your

kids may have– Tell us what you think

Getting Involved


• Teachers and School Administrators– Visit the cafeteria during lunch

– Join students for lunch

– Encourage the school nutrition director to make presentations to parents about the benefits of school meals, a healthy lifestyle at PTA meetings and in the classroom.

– Talk about the Vote for School Lunch – Presidential Edition during assembly

– Teach kids about the benefits of eating a nutritious diet and the election process using “Vote” as a fun example

Getting Involved


Who Will You Vote For?

Larry Lasagna

Biff Burger

Petunia Pita Pocket

Gloria Grilled Cheese

Pete Pizza


www.VoteForSchoolLunch.org

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