By Roger Graff, ISD #511 Superintendent
School is off to a good start. The start of a new school year is a good time to revisit a few things, one being participation in our school lunch program. On page 40-42 of the Parent/Student Handbook we provide information on prices, student lunch prepay accounts, free and reduced programs and other policies. The Handbook is on the District website, www.isd511.net or you can request a paper copy from the office.
The past 13 years we have contracted out our school lunch program to Lunchtime Solutions (LTS.) Besides preparing breakfast and lunch for our students, they have had the added responsibility of ensuring that the District is in compliance with the USDA, the governing body in charge of administering The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This has been a very daunting task, which required LTS to change the menu options and serving sizes significantly in 2010. LTS has done an admirable job as we have stayed in compliance with the new rules and our food service is in the black. A big part of that compliance revolves around the dietary content of the items on the menu. The amount of fats, carbohydrates, proteins and the overall number of calories must comply with USDA rules. Admittedly, not everyone was happy about or agrees with the limits set by The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. That has been the case in Adrian as well as across the nation.
Because of this, from time to time the question comes up about why are portions smaller or why the school can’t serve certain items like peanut butter and bread every day at lunch. Along with these questions we occasionally hear that all the schools around us are serving whatever they want. Misinformation like this is unfortunate but understandable, as most people do not have a reason to keep current with the USDA mandates that are a part of The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
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