The State of the School Lunch

THE STATE OF SCHOOL LUNCH For years, school lunches have been synonymous with mystery meat-or at least chicken nuggets and tater tots. But thanks to new nutritional reforms proposed by the USDA, school meals are getting a makeover. Here, a snapshot of where our cafeterias have been for the past 15 years, the new recommendations set forth by the USDA, and what kids might receive on their lunch trays this year. Old School Lunch... CHEESE LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE KETCHUP CANNED PINEAPPLE TATER PIZZA TOTS 2 tbsp 1 slice MILK 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 cup Proposed New School Lunch... WHOLE WHEAT LOW-FAT BAKED SWEET APPLESAUCE GRAPE LOW-FAT RANCH DIP 1/4 cup CHEESE PIZZA MILK POTATO FRIES 1/2 cup TOMATOES 1 slice 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 59% 60% OF OF STUDENTS THE LUNCHES ENROLLED IN SERVED ARE SCHOOLS FREE OR THAT SERVE REDUCED-COST SCHOOL LUNCH (AROUND 40¢) EAT SCHOOL V LUNCH Time for Average 11 12 10 Lunch (ALMOST 32 MILLION LUNCHES A DAY) 25 MINUTES 64% ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS PREPARE AT 4 30 MINUTES LEAST A QUARTER OF THEIR ENTREES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FROM SCRATCH 97% 63% 98% 89% OF CAFETERIAS OFFER OF SCHOOLS OF SCHOOLS OFFER OF SCHOOL PROVIDE DISTRICTS OFFER WHOLE GRAINS VEGETARIAN FAT-FREE SALAD BARS OPTIONS OR 1% MILK OR PREPACKAGED SALADS SOURCES: The State of School Nutrition 2011, School Nutrition Association; Comparison of Current NSLP Elementary Meals vs. Proposed Elementary Meals, USDA; Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Phase I. Proposed Approach for Recommending Revisions, Institute of Medicine Infographic by Paul Schrynemakers for MSN Fitbie.com THE STATE OF SCHOOL LUNCH For years, school lunches have been synonymous with mystery meat-or at least chicken nuggets and tater tots. But thanks to new nutritional reforms proposed by the USDA, school meals are getting a makeover. Here, a snapshot of where our cafeterias have been for the past 15 years, the new recommendations set forth by the USDA, and what kids might receive on their lunch trays this year. Old School Lunch... CHEESE LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE КЕТCHUP CANNED PINEAPPLE TATER PIZZA TOTS 2 tbsp 1 slice MILK 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 cup Proposed New School Lunch... WHOLE WHEAT LOW-FAT BAKED SWEET APPLESAUCE GRAPE LOW-FAT RANCH DIP 1/4 cup CHEESE PIZZA MILK POTATO FRIES 1/2 cup ТОМАТОES 1 slice 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 59% 60% OF OF STUDENTS THE LUNCHES ENROLLED IN SERVED ARE SCHOOLS FREE OR THAT SERVE REDUCED-COST SCHOOL LUNCH (AROUND 40¢) EAT SCHOOL V LUNCH Time for Average 11 12 1 Lunch (ALMOST 32 MILLION LUNCHES A DAY) 25 MINUTES 10 64% ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS PREPARE AT 8 4 5 30 MINUTES LEAST A 7 QUARTER OF THEIR ENTREES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FROM SCRATCH 97% 63% 98% 89% OF CAFETERIAS OFFER OF SCHOOLS OF SCHOOLS OFFER OF SCHOOL PROVIDE DISTRICTS OFFER WHOLE GRAINS VEGETARIAN FAT-FREE SALAD BARS OPTIONS OR 1% MILK OR PREPACKAGED SALADS SOURCES: The State of School Nutrition 2011, School Nutrition Association; Comparison of Current NSLP Elementary Meals vs. Proposed Elementary Meals, USDA; Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Phase I. Proposed Approach for Recommending Revisions, Institute of Medicine Infographic by Paul Schrynemakers for MSN Fitbie.com THE STATE OF SCHOOL LUNCH For years, school lunches have been synonymous with mystery meat-or at least chicken nuggets and tater tots. But thanks to new nutritional reforms proposed by the USDA, school meals are getting a makeover. Here, a snapshot of where our cafeterias have been for the past 15 years, the new recommendations set forth by the USDA, and what kids might receive on their lunch trays this year. Old School Lunch... CHEESE LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE КЕТCHUP CANNED PINEAPPLE TATER PIZZA TOTS 2 tbsp 1 slice MILK 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 cup Proposed New School Lunch... WHOLE WHEAT LOW-FAT BAKED SWEET APPLESAUCE GRAPE LOW-FAT RANCH DIP 1/4 cup CHEESE PIZZA MILK POTATO FRIES 1/2 cup ТОМАТОES 1 slice 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 59% 60% OF OF STUDENTS THE LUNCHES ENROLLED IN SERVED ARE SCHOOLS FREE OR THAT SERVE REDUCED-COST SCHOOL LUNCH (AROUND 40¢) EAT SCHOOL V LUNCH Time for Average 11 12 1 Lunch (ALMOST 32 MILLION LUNCHES A DAY) 25 MINUTES 10 64% ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS PREPARE AT 8 4 5 30 MINUTES LEAST A 7 QUARTER OF THEIR ENTREES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FROM SCRATCH 97% 63% 98% 89% OF CAFETERIAS OFFER OF SCHOOLS OF SCHOOLS OFFER OF SCHOOL PROVIDE DISTRICTS OFFER WHOLE GRAINS VEGETARIAN FAT-FREE SALAD BARS OPTIONS OR 1% MILK OR PREPACKAGED SALADS SOURCES: The State of School Nutrition 2011, School Nutrition Association; Comparison of Current NSLP Elementary Meals vs. Proposed Elementary Meals, USDA; Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Phase I. Proposed Approach for Recommending Revisions, Institute of Medicine Infographic by Paul Schrynemakers for MSN Fitbie.com THE STATE OF SCHOOL LUNCH For years, school lunches have been synonymous with mystery meat-or at least chicken nuggets and tater tots. But thanks to new nutritional reforms proposed by the USDA, school meals are getting a makeover. Here, a snapshot of where our cafeterias have been for the past 15 years, the new recommendations set forth by the USDA, and what kids might receive on their lunch trays this year. Old School Lunch... CHEESE LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE КЕТCHUP CANNED PINEAPPLE TATER PIZZA TOTS 2 tbsp 1 slice MILK 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 cup Proposed New School Lunch... WHOLE WHEAT LOW-FAT BAKED SWEET APPLESAUCE GRAPE LOW-FAT RANCH DIP 1/4 cup CHEESE PIZZA MILK POTATO FRIES 1/2 cup ТОМАТОES 1 slice 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 59% 60% OF OF STUDENTS THE LUNCHES ENROLLED IN SERVED ARE SCHOOLS FREE OR THAT SERVE REDUCED-COST SCHOOL LUNCH (AROUND 40¢) EAT SCHOOL V LUNCH Time for Average 11 12 1 Lunch (ALMOST 32 MILLION LUNCHES A DAY) 25 MINUTES 10 64% ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS PREPARE AT 8 4 5 30 MINUTES LEAST A 7 QUARTER OF THEIR ENTREES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FROM SCRATCH 97% 63% 98% 89% OF CAFETERIAS OFFER OF SCHOOLS OF SCHOOLS OFFER OF SCHOOL PROVIDE DISTRICTS OFFER WHOLE GRAINS VEGETARIAN FAT-FREE SALAD BARS OPTIONS OR 1% MILK OR PREPACKAGED SALADS SOURCES: The State of School Nutrition 2011, School Nutrition Association; Comparison of Current NSLP Elementary Meals vs. Proposed Elementary Meals, USDA; Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Phase I. Proposed Approach for Recommending Revisions, Institute of Medicine Infographic by Paul Schrynemakers for MSN Fitbie.com THE STATE OF SCHOOL LUNCH For years, school lunches have been synonymous with mystery meat-or at least chicken nuggets and tater tots. But thanks to new nutritional reforms proposed by the USDA, school meals are getting a makeover. Here, a snapshot of where our cafeterias have been for the past 15 years, the new recommendations set forth by the USDA, and what kids might receive on their lunch trays this year. Old School Lunch... CHEESE LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE КЕТCHUP CANNED PINEAPPLE TATER PIZZA TOTS 2 tbsp 1 slice MILK 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 cup Proposed New School Lunch... WHOLE WHEAT LOW-FAT BAKED SWEET APPLESAUCE GRAPE LOW-FAT RANCH DIP 1/4 cup CHEESE PIZZA MILK POTATO FRIES 1/2 cup ТОМАТОES 1 slice 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 59% 60% OF OF STUDENTS THE LUNCHES ENROLLED IN SERVED ARE SCHOOLS FREE OR THAT SERVE REDUCED-COST SCHOOL LUNCH (AROUND 40¢) EAT SCHOOL V LUNCH Time for Average 11 12 1 Lunch (ALMOST 32 MILLION LUNCHES A DAY) 25 MINUTES 10 64% ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS PREPARE AT 8 4 5 30 MINUTES LEAST A 7 QUARTER OF THEIR ENTREES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FROM SCRATCH 97% 63% 98% 89% OF CAFETERIAS OFFER OF SCHOOLS OF SCHOOLS OFFER OF SCHOOL PROVIDE DISTRICTS OFFER WHOLE GRAINS VEGETARIAN FAT-FREE SALAD BARS OPTIONS OR 1% MILK OR PREPACKAGED SALADS SOURCES: The State of School Nutrition 2011, School Nutrition Association; Comparison of Current NSLP Elementary Meals vs. Proposed Elementary Meals, USDA; Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Phase I. Proposed Approach for Recommending Revisions, Institute of Medicine Infographic by Paul Schrynemakers for MSN Fitbie.com THE STATE OF SCHOOL LUNCH For years, school lunches have been synonymous with mystery meat-or at least chicken nuggets and tater tots. But thanks to new nutritional reforms proposed by the USDA, school meals are getting a makeover. Here, a snapshot of where our cafeterias have been for the past 15 years, the new recommendations set forth by the USDA, and what kids might receive on their lunch trays this year. Old School Lunch... CHEESE LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE КЕТCHUP CANNED PINEAPPLE TATER PIZZA TOTS 2 tbsp 1 slice MILK 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 cup Proposed New School Lunch... WHOLE WHEAT LOW-FAT BAKED SWEET APPLESAUCE GRAPE LOW-FAT RANCH DIP 1/4 cup CHEESE PIZZA MILK POTATO FRIES 1/2 cup ТОМАТОES 1 slice 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 59% 60% OF OF STUDENTS THE LUNCHES ENROLLED IN SERVED ARE SCHOOLS FREE OR THAT SERVE REDUCED-COST SCHOOL LUNCH (AROUND 40¢) EAT SCHOOL V LUNCH Time for Average 11 12 1 Lunch (ALMOST 32 MILLION LUNCHES A DAY) 25 MINUTES 10 64% ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS PREPARE AT 8 4 5 30 MINUTES LEAST A 7 QUARTER OF THEIR ENTREES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FROM SCRATCH 97% 63% 98% 89% OF CAFETERIAS OFFER OF SCHOOLS OF SCHOOLS OFFER OF SCHOOL PROVIDE DISTRICTS OFFER WHOLE GRAINS VEGETARIAN FAT-FREE SALAD BARS OPTIONS OR 1% MILK OR PREPACKAGED SALADS SOURCES: The State of School Nutrition 2011, School Nutrition Association; Comparison of Current NSLP Elementary Meals vs. Proposed Elementary Meals, USDA; Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Phase I. Proposed Approach for Recommending Revisions, Institute of Medicine Infographic by Paul Schrynemakers for MSN Fitbie.com THE STATE OF SCHOOL LUNCH For years, school lunches have been synonymous with mystery meat-or at least chicken nuggets and tater tots. But thanks to new nutritional reforms proposed by the USDA, school meals are getting a makeover. Here, a snapshot of where our cafeterias have been for the past 15 years, the new recommendations set forth by the USDA, and what kids might receive on their lunch trays this year. Old School Lunch... CHEESE LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE КЕТCHUP CANNED PINEAPPLE TATER PIZZA TOTS 2 tbsp 1 slice MILK 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 cup Proposed New School Lunch... WHOLE WHEAT LOW-FAT BAKED SWEET APPLESAUCE GRAPE LOW-FAT RANCH DIP 1/4 cup CHEESE PIZZA MILK POTATO FRIES 1/2 cup ТОМАТОES 1 slice 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 59% 60% OF OF STUDENTS THE LUNCHES ENROLLED IN SERVED ARE SCHOOLS FREE OR THAT SERVE REDUCED-COST SCHOOL LUNCH (AROUND 40¢) EAT SCHOOL V LUNCH Time for Average 11 12 1 Lunch (ALMOST 32 MILLION LUNCHES A DAY) 25 MINUTES 10 64% ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS PREPARE AT 8 4 5 30 MINUTES LEAST A 7 QUARTER OF THEIR ENTREES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FROM SCRATCH 97% 63% 98% 89% OF CAFETERIAS OFFER OF SCHOOLS OF SCHOOLS OFFER OF SCHOOL PROVIDE DISTRICTS OFFER WHOLE GRAINS VEGETARIAN FAT-FREE SALAD BARS OPTIONS OR 1% MILK OR PREPACKAGED SALADS SOURCES: The State of School Nutrition 2011, School Nutrition Association; Comparison of Current NSLP Elementary Meals vs. Proposed Elementary Meals, USDA; Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Phase I. Proposed Approach for Recommending Revisions, Institute of Medicine Infographic by Paul Schrynemakers for MSN Fitbie.com