Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
National School Lunch Program Sabrina Collins What is the NSLP? The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program administering nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to an estimated 31 million children each day. The NSLP exists in over 100,000 public and non-profit schools and child care institutions. The Food and Nutrition Service administrators the NSLP at a Federal level, at the state level the NSLP is administered by the State education agencies. Goal of the NSLP The goal of the National School Lunch Program is to fight hunger and obesity by reimbursing schools, childcare centers and after-school programs for providing healthy meals to children. Requirements of the NSLP The National School Lunch Program’s meal pattern and guidelines were updated in 2010 due to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The guidelines are now expected to follow the nutrition standards based on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Requirements of the NSLP Cont. The new requirements for the NSLP included and increase of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains found in the school lunch menu. They also specified specific calorie limits to ensure age-appropriate meals. They were divided in to K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Reduction of sodium limit was also reduced. Requirements of the NSLP Cont. The program now requires minimum and maximum calories for both breakfast and lunch. For grades K-5 the calorie range for breakfast is 350-500, and for lunch it is 550-650. For grades 6-8 the calorie range for breakfast is 400-500, and for lunch it is 600-700. For grades 9-12 the calorie range for breakfast is 450-600, and for lunch it is 750-850. Requirements of the NSLP Cont. The meal plan is broken down in to lean meats, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk. There are minimum and maximum requirements on the serving size of each category in order to provide a well balanced meal for the children. Meat/Meat Alternatives Daily and weekly requirements for lunch; - 2 oz. daily for students in grades 9-12 - 1 oz. daily for students in grades K-8 The NSLP now encourages meat alternatives such a tofu and soy yogurt - 2.2 oz of tofu, containing at least 5g protein = 1.0 oz equivalent meat alternate - 1⁄2 cup of soy yogurt = 1.0 oz equivalent meat alternate Fruits Fruit is required to be either fresh, frozen without any added sugar, canned in a juice or light syrup, or dried. No more than half of the fruit servings offered may be in the form of juice- which must be 100% full-strength. Whole Grains Whole grain-rich foods may be included as long as they contain at least 51% whole grains. Whole grains are also required to meet at least one of the following: whole grains per serving must be grater or equal to 8 grams, the product includes FDA’s whole grain health claim on the packaging, or the product ingredient listing lists whole grain first. Vegetables Vegetables are required to be either fresh, frozen, or canned. Leafy greens are given credit as half of volume as served. Vegetables are split up into five different subgroups which are: dark green, red/orange, beans/peas, starchy, and other. Each of these have a specific requirement of weekly servings. Milk Milk must be either: - fat-free (unflavored or flavored) - low-fat (unflavored only) - fat-free or low-fat (lactose reduced or lactose free) It also must be offered in at least two different choices Benefits of the NSLP The National School Lunch Program provides a healthy, nutritious meal that contains onethird of the recommended dietary allowance of necessary nutrients. Provides a nutritionally balanced meal at the lowest possible price. Enhances children’s mental and physical wellbeing. Students are proven to have fewer attendance and discipline problems when nutritional needs are met. What is a reimbursable lunch? A reimbursable lunch has requirements regarding nutrient content and portion sizes. A complete meal meeting requirements allows a school to receive benefits and is referred to as a reimbursable lunch. The goal of this program is to give children a understanding of their relationship between proper eating habits and good health. Reimbursable Lunch Cont. The USDA provides schools in the NSLP reimbursement in the form of cash for each meal served. Currently the basic cash reimbursement rates if school food authorities served less than 60% free and reduced price lunches during the second proceeding school year are… Reimbursable Lunch Cont. Free lunches: $2.86 Reduced-price lunches: $2.46 Paid lunches: $0.27 Free snacks: $0.78 Reduced-price snacks: $0.39 Paid snacks: $0.07 How to Qualify for Reimbursement Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the National School Lunch Program. Depending on the family’s income, they will determine the percentage covered of the school meal. How to Qualify for Reimbursement Families with incomes at or below 130% poverty level are eligible for free meals. Families with incomes between 130% to 185% of poverty level are eligible for reduced- price meals. Families with incomes over 185% of poverty level pay full price, however the meals are subsidized. Children the NSLP has Served More than 31.8 million children each day got their lunch provided by the school lunch program, and since the program began the NSPL has served more than 224 billion lunches. Sample 1 week Menu The following menu is a sample of what 1 week would look like from students in grades 6-8. It is clear that they are provided with meals that have substantial nutritional value, with all of the requirements being met. Example of 1 week Menu Impacting Learning and Test Scores Studies have shown that proper nutrition has a direct impact on student performance and behavior in schools. Nutrition has a direct effect on neurotransmitters important in sending messages from the body to the brain. When they body is being fueled with the correct amount of nutritional needs, it provides them with the ability to perform at a higher level. Impacting Learning and Test Scores In order for children to improve test scores, they need to be provided with clean, high quality fuel. For growing children this means a balanced diet of whole foods, grown in a nutritionenhancing way without toxic pesticides, and prepared in a manner that also preserves nutrients. A child’s diet affects affects the physical structure of his or her brain, as well as memory, attention, and reasoning skills. Impacting Learning and Test Scores Optimal cognitive function requires essential vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins. Vitamin deficiency has been linked to shortened attention span, irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Children who are “food-insufficient” have significantly lower test scores and are more likely to repeat a grade, have behavioral issues, and be suspended from school. Undernourished students are more susceptible to infection and more likely to miss school. References Erickson, J. (2006). Brain Food: the real dish on nutrition and brain function. WisKids Journal, November/December. Geier, A., Foster G., McLaughlin, J., Borrandaile, K., Nachmani, J., … Schultz, J. (2007). The relationship between relative weight and school attendance among elementary school children. Obesity, 15, 2157-2161.