What’s on your Tray? National School Lunch Week Oct 14-Oct 18 2013

More than 32 million children eat school lunch everyday across the USA, and to celebrate healthy lunch choices, schools across the country will celebrate National School Lunch Week: October 14-18, 2013. The theme, "School Lunch Across the USA" will include events and activities that promote the benefits of healthy school lunches. It will also celebrate the flavors, ingredients, and culture of various regions. The campaign will put a spotlight on the healthy foods and positive changes that schools have incorporated into their menus.

The federally-funded National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides nutritionally balanced, healthy meals to students everyday. The program, which has been serving the nation's children for over 60 years, requires school meals to meet federal nutrition standards by:

·      Ensuring students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week;

·      Substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods;

·      Offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties; and

            ·    Reducing amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.

For more information about healthy school meals, visit www.TrayTalk.org.

Press Release Follows.

SOURCE: School Nutrition Association, http://www.schoolnutrition.org

About NSLW

The School Nutrition Association’s National School Lunch Week (NSLW) 2013 theme is “School Lunch Across the USA,” and It’s about celebrating the regional flavors, ingredients, and traditions from across the country. Whether you live in Boston or Biloxi, you’ll be sure to find fun and exciting ways to celebrate NSLW in your cafeteria.

Every part of the country is known for different food—whether it’s New England chowder, southern black-eyed peas, Florida oranges, or southwestern salsa. “School Lunch Across the USA” allows you to celebrate the popular flavors in your own region, and across the country too!

Recognizing NSLW can help you:

·      ·   Increase student participation for your program

·     ·   Spread the message to parents that you’re serving healthy and tasty meals

·      ·   Earn media coverage from local papers, blogs, and TV stations

·      ·   Connect with teachers and administrators at your school or in your district to spread the word that school meals are healthy

The campaign runs from July 2013 to October 2013, culminating in National School Lunch Week, October 14-18, 2013.

SNA members determine the success of NSLW – so what are you waiting for? Mark your calendar, download the resources, and start brainstorming your celebration ideas!

WEBSITE: http://www.schoolnutrition.org

CONTACT: Diane Pratt-Heavner at 301-686-3124, media@schoolnutrition.org.  

SNA members wishing to view the report, click here.

The School Nutrition Association is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 55,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students.  SNA’s website for parents, www.TrayTalk.org, features school nutrition success stories from across the country.