Back to School, Back to School Meals

Summer offers a more laid-back pace than the busy school year. But in some ways summer can be more work for parents: preparing healthy breakfasts and lunches every day can be a chore.

School meals offer an easy way to ensure your child is getting nutritious meals each day. School meals must meet nutrition standards. For example, fruits and vegetables must be offered at lunch every day, and all grain foods must be whole-grain rich.

In the spirit of heading back to school, here’s a homework assignment to help you make the most of school meals:

·        Ask about the breakfast schedule at your child’s school. Is it offered in the cafeteria before the school day or in the classroom once the day begins? Make sure your child arrives in time to eat breakfast.

·       Complete Free and Reduced Meal forms when they are sent home. Don’t miss the opportunity for your child to receive a meal at low or no cost to you.

·       Find out how to put money on your child’s meal account, and if parents are able to control what their child spends money on. For example, can your child purchase snacks with his meal account, or is the account restricted to purchasing a full meal? Check the school district website for information on meal accounts.

·       If your child is young, practice skills he or she will need to do independently at school, such as unwrapping straws, opening milk cartons, or peeling oranges…and teach them to ask for help if they need it! This can prevent healthy food from ending up in the trash.

·       Review the monthly lunch menu with your child and discuss the fruit and vegetable options available. Encourage them to eat school lunch, especially on the days when they can try a new fruit or veggie!