Food Service
The Litchfield School District is part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) whose mission is to serve well balanced, healthy, and reasonably priced meals in an environment that is safe and pleasant. Good nutrition is an essential part of the optimal learning process so we encourage students to eat a well- balanced meal at school as well as at home. Our objective is to serve the highest quality food available to our students and meet the requirements established for all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. Proposed new mealtime requirements based on legislation are as follows:
2 – 3 oz protein daily
3 servings of fruit and/or vegetable daily
8-15 servings of grains per week - more whole grains
1 cup non-fat or 1% low fat milk daily
The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is new legislation whose focal point is improving child nutrition. The US Department of Agriculture released a proposed rule that would update the nutrition standards for meals served in the schools. Meal pattern requirements will be in line with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For lunch, the greatest change is increasing fruits and vegetables, and increasing whole grains, limiting fat and salt content.
In meeting these requirements we incorporate a well rounded variety of foods reflective of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that recommend nutrient dense food including whole grains, fresh fruit, vegetables and low fat dairy products. As part of our ongoing move towards improved wellness we will be offering more whole grain foods and continue to use 100% whole wheat sliced breads for all our sandwiches. A salad bar is offered daily at the middle and high schools. We have eliminated whole milk in all the schools and offer only low fat plain or flavored milk. We offer healthier snack choices at the middle and high schools. Snack items sold have fat calories with less than 35% of total calories with some exceptions made for nutrient dense foods such as nuts, peanut butter, and cheese. Sugar content is less than 35% by weight. Vending machines in the cafeteria that carry beverages and snacks also comply with these recommendations.
As well as providing lunch, the high school also offers breakfast foods to all students from 7:15 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. and to students who have cafeteria study periods at 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
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