Welcome to School Lunch Lady.com
It's no secret! Countless studies and classroom observations show that diet impacts academic achievement. Healthy kids find it easier to get good grades. Eating right along with physical activity is intregal to a healthy lifestyle. It would seem a simple task to provide nutritious meals to students, but providing is not as much a hurdle as getting them to eat. Facility and cost constraints may limit certain types of food being served, but there are many factors besides the food itself that influence what kids actually eat during the school day. It will take a team effort to develop and mold life long habits in our children. School lunch lady.com offers:
A forum for School Nutrition Professionals to share success stories, express frustrations, and learn from one another so to continue to prepare and serve nutritious and acceptable choices for our children during the school day.
A place for Parents to get an inside view and a grasp of the challenges of school meal programs and getting kids to eat.
A source for School Administrators to better comprehend the internal and external elements that effect the operational and fiscal performance of a district's meal program.
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You don't say! Is there a National School Lunch regulation that states parents cannot be in the Cafeteria during meals? The school staff would like to restrict the parents from being in the cafeteria, but they want Food Services to be the bad guys as to the reason they must not be there while their children eat. It’s been an ongoing issue for years. I am at a loss! We have explained to the district the actions of some parents violate the regulations and are jeopardizing the food program. Examples include eating food from student’s plates, removing food from the site, feeding siblings without purchasing the item, and this list goes on. Can any one assist us in providing our district with legal regulations? Not a Bad Guy
Dear Not a Bad Guy,
Problematic parents in the cafeteria is a common challenge. I once had a mother wink at me as she stashed bowl packs of cereal in her baby's stroller. This is an individual school site issue and requires principal support. I have had principals flat out tell me that parents have a right to be anywhere on campus, and I have had others work with me, and tell the parents that they have to wait outside the cafeteria. The USDA regulations require the meals to be served to enrolled students only and must be consumed on campus. Money talks. If a noteworthy amount is being lost to theft or unreimbursable meals, an administrator should back you up. If it is minimal, it might not be worth the effort or harmful PR. A solution might be to allow parents sit in another part of the cafeteria away from the meal line. As part of the educational process, a child can experience independence and build confidence in selecting his own meal items and eating with fellow students rather than parents.It is sad that all parents can not be positive role models. Fortunately, most parents do try to set a good example and play by the rules.
Not a bad guy either,
SLL
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Here's an idea!
School meal programs have often offered peanuts, walnuts, and almonds in some form on their menus. How about giving pistachios a try! They taste good and are fun to eat. On the down side, I can see the custodians rolling their eyes in contemplating the shells on the floor! They are available shelled to avoid such problems.
Here are some pistachio food facts suggested serving ideas if you would like to feature the sweet little nut.
Let your imagination spark up your menus!
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