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Nutrition News
The Wellesley Public Schools Wellness Advisory Board, a group of dedicated parents and staff along with the Superintendents office partnered in 2006 to create the district's Wellness Policy. The Wellness Policy was developed in accordance with the National School Lunch Program's Reauthorization Act. The act requires all public school districts produce a detailed policy that addresses the health and well-being of all students. To view the Wellness Policy, please go to: http://www.wellesley.k12.ma.us
School year 2012-2013 "NEW" Regulatory Requirements
under Final Rule
"Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs"
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Common School Lunch Questions....
What is Offer vs. Serve?
Offer vs. Serve is a concept that applies to the way we do menu planning and to the determination of reimbursable school meals. Offer vs. Serve allows students to decline either one or two food items in a school lunch or one food item in a school breakfast. When students are allowed to select the foods they intend to eat, there is less food waste, increased customer satisfaction, they learn to make healthy choices and, most importantly, students eat more food and get the proper nutrients they need to grow and maintain a healthy mind and body. Combination foods can be selected; these combination food items may count as more than one food item. All meals are priced as a unit, so students who take three, four or five food items pay the same price; this is also true for breakfast. As long as the student takes three of the five items, the meal will count as a complete meal and eligible for reimbursement. If less than three food items are selected you will be charged ala cart prices.
What must be offered at lunch?
To meet the Offer vs. Serve requirements a student must be offered daily:
· 5 food items
· From 4 food components
· In at least the minimum serving sizes for the appropriate age/grade group
What are the five food items?
· 1 serving of Meat/Meat alternative
· 2 or more servings of Vegetables or Fruits
· 1 serving of Grain/Breads
· 1 serving of fluid Milk
What are the five food components?
· Meat/Meat Alternative = meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, or other nut or seed butters, nuts, dry beans, yogurt and alternative protein products.
· Vegetables = raw, cooked, fresh, dried, canned and frozen
· Fruits = raw, cooked, fresh, dried, canned and frozen and full strength juice.
· Grains/Breads = bread, tortillas, bagels, rice, pasta, rolls and many more products made from enriched or whole grain meal or flour, bran or wheat germ.
· Milk = fluid served as a beverage.
· Once students have left the line and taken their seat, they may not come back for a meal component they passed up while in line
What must be offered at breakfast?
To meet the Offer vs. Serve requirements a student must be offered daily:
· 4 food items
· From 3 to 4 food components
· In a least the minimum serving sizes for the appropriate age/grade group
Why must milk be served with school lunch?
Eight ounces (1 cup) of fluid milk is a required component of the school lunch pattern. No other beverage (Juice, Tea, or soda), nor food (ice cream, cottage cheese, or yogurt), can be substituted for this required component. Wellesley Public Schools offer a variety of milks at each cafeteria – low fat plain and chocolate. We also have a milk substitute: lactaid milk for children with dairy intolerances. A written request must be sent to the Director of Dining Services’ office. This request is per the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This written request must be submitted yearly.
Milk only for lunch. My child brings home lunch. Is milk only free?
No. Milk only does not meet the meal requirements. Milk only is $0.50 for all children.
Why do you serve chocolate milk?
School lunch can no longer serve flavored milks which contain high fructose syrup. Wellesley Public Schools’ serve TruMoo Fat Free Chocolate Milk. TruMoo milk is made with pure white milk from your local trusted dairy. What’s more, TruMoo contains no high fructose corn syrup and the milk is produced without the use of added growth hormones. It's just wholesome goodness with a delicious flavor kids love! Oh, and eight essential nutrients every kid needs, including calcium, protein, potassium, riboflavin, phosphorus and vitamins A, D and B12. The Nutrition Facts - per 1 container Calories 130, Fat Calories 0, Total Fat 0, total Carb. 24g, Sugars 22g Protein 8g
Why does my school serve only 1% milk and low fat milk?
Because low fat milk has a low fat content, it is consistent with the dietary guideline to avoid too much fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Why are bread and potatoes served in the same meal?
A bread or bread alternate is a required component of the school lunch program. Potatoes are considered a vegetable and meet only the fruit/vegetable requirement of the lunch component.
 
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