District 214 Organizes a Salute to School Lunch

National School Lunch Week Aims to Get Students Excited About Healthy Choices

            To celebrate the more than 370,000 healthy lunches sold annually in Township High School District 214, each school will participate in the National School Lunch Week campaign. Held October 14-18, the campaign will shine a spotlight on the healthy foods and positive changes that District 214 schools have incorporated into their menus. Students who purchase a lunch during this week will have their name entered into a drawing to win a pair of headphones or a gift card. The drawing will be held on October 21, 2013. 

            In conjunction with the Department of Food and Nutrition Services, who will feature new tastes and healthy recipe samples that promote the benefits of healthy school lunches and celebrate the flavors, ingredients, and culture of various regions of the United States, District 214’s students and staff also will sample tastes from around the world. A few dishes include Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Lentils of the Southwest, Veggie Chili, and Spanish Chickpea Stew.

            During the year, each cafeteria offers freshly prepared salads, brown rice, legumes, whole grain pasta, fresh fruits and vegetables, vegetarian friendly options, sweet potatoes and low fat yogurt. District 214’s lunches provide over one-half of the nutrients needed every day by high school students.

            The federally-funded National School Lunch Program, which District 214 is participant, provides nutritionally balanced, healthy meals to students everyday. The program has been serving the nation's children for over 60 years and 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,

·       limiting calories based on the age of children being served, and

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

            For more information about healthy school meals, visit a District 214 cafeteria, www.TrayTalk.org or District 214 Food and Nutrition Services.