Lunch program
Lunch
program/Vending machines
Debate is
currently underway concerning vending in schools.
Many changes have already been implemented including identification of
those items of minimal nutritional value, and the types of beverages that can be
sold at each educational level. Many
restrictions are federally regulated.
The Utah
State Office of Education is currently discussing acceptable beverage and
vending choices in school. Granite
District is committed to adhering to these guidelines and eager to encourage
healthy food choices in school.
For the past
ten years, four elementary schools have served Pizza Hut pizza as an ala carte
item during lunch. This practice is
currently being reviewed by our new school lunch director and district
nutritionist. This practice is not
part of the federally funded lunch program nor is it a fund raiser for the
school
Asked at Cottonwood High School network meeting, October 17,
2007
Top
Plates are too small
The lunch plates in all secondary schools were converted from a five-compartment
lunch tray to a nine-inch, round, black plate. The high schools were converted
last year, and the junior high schools this year. The objective was to upscale
the look and feel of the meal. The black plate gives the appearance of a less
institutional meal and creates a distinctive difference from the
five-compartment lunch tray used in the elementary program. Throughout Sodexho’s
districts the round black plate has been well received and is perceived as less
juvenile in the secondary program. After reviewing the concerns received since
the beginning of the year, it seems the concerns are generated more from adults
(faculty and staff) than from students.
We have authorized schools to use hard trays (washable) and side dishes at the
offering table to alleviate the concern about students not having room to have
their side dishes. We will be converting to a larger ten-inch round black plate
when the current supply is exhausted.
Asked at Hunter High School community meeting, November 7, 2007
Top
Cafeteria food too expensive, can you analyze food services (Davis district is
much better)
The cost of school lunch in the Granite School
District is the lowest of all districts in the area. A question was asked about
a comparison between Davis and Granite lunch prices so the following comparison
chart is included as a comparison:
|
|
Granite District
|
Davis District
|
|
Elementary Breakfast
|
$ .75
|
$1.10
|
|
Elementary Lunch
|
$1.20
|
$1.60
|
|
Jr. High Breakfast
|
$ .85
|
$1.40
|
|
Jr. High Lunch
|
$1.40
|
$2.00
|
|
Sr. High Breakfast
|
$ .85
|
$1.15
|
|
Sr. High Lunch
|
$1.50
|
$2.00
|
Asked at Skyline High School community meeting, January 16,
2008
Top
Lunch program and what students want, not what adults think they want; providing
water instead of milk
Food services provided for Granite District students is continually being
evaluated and adjusted to meet and/or exceed federal guidelines for nutritional
value. The evaluation includes portion size, fat content, carbohydrate counts,
etc. All elementary schools now offer a “nutrition station” for students wishing
to add fruits, nuts, raisins, and vegetables to their lunches. These stations
have become exceedingly popular and the volume of these food items served is
increasing. A nutritionist has been hired by the food service department to
assist in writing nutritionally fit menus and to help provide specialized diets
to students requiring a special calorie count or diet.
New food items are often evaluated for adequate nutritional standards. When
standards are met or exceeded, the item is field tested to determine if students
like the product. If adopted, the item is then added to the menu rotation.
Recently a new pizza was added to this rotation after following this selection
method. It is very tasty yet contains far less saturated fat than the previous
pizza offering.
Some school administrations have requested that water be given as an option
rather than milk in the food line. A few schools are currently exploring how to
best serve water in the lunch line.
This coming school year fewer drink choices will be available to students
through vending machines. The new standard will dramatically reduce the volume
(size) of drinks sold and totally eliminate carbonated drinks at the elementary
(which is already the case) and junior high levels with only diet carbonated
drinks sold on high school campuses. Bottled water is allowed to be sold at all
three levels, along with juices and sports drinks of smaller volume in high
schools.
Asked at Taylorsville High School community meeting, January
22,
2008
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