School Meals: Good for Kids and Good for Your Wallet
As the cost of everything increases, there are meals that are still great values, both nutritionally and economically. School lunch is still an incredible bargain at $2.00 in Henry County Schools, while breakfast is $1.25!
Save Money: Eat School Lunch!
On average, it costs less to buy a school lunch than to bring a lunch from home. The estimated national average of a school lunch from home was $3.43.1
1 According to a meal cost analysis by Alice Jo Rainville, PhD, RD, CHE, SNS of Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
There is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch (and a Reduced Price One, Too!)
All children at participating schools may purchase meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Your family may qualify for free or reduced price meals. Students eligible for reduced prices are charged 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.
Applications can be filed at any time during the year or as family circumstances change. Contact your school to fill out a school meal application.
Healthy Meals Feed Eager Minds
Every school lunch includes at least five great choices:
- Milk - 1% or less fat content - flavored or regular
- Vegetables - From turnip greens to fresh carrot sticks and fresh sweet potatoes.
- Fruit - Everything from fresh d'Anjou pears to sliced peaches
- Grains - At least half of the total grains will be WHOLE GRAINS!
- Meat or meat alternate -Examples include turkey, chicken, or lean beef (Ground beef was reduced to an average 15% fat, as compared to an average 30% fat content in the fast food industry.)
Meals served under the NSLP must meet nutrition guidelines based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Research has shown that students who eat school meals perform their best academically.
Students who eat school breakfast have greater gains in standardized test scores and show improvements in math, reading, and vocabulary scores.2 Healthy eating correlates with fewer trips to the school nurse and less absenteeism.
2 Classroom Breakfast Scores High in Maryland, Maryland Meals for Achievement. October 2001
The Role of Parents
Parents and school nutrition professionals share the same goals: Well-balanced nutritious meals for their kids and creating healthy eating habits for life. Parents are role models and influence what kids eat. Encourage healthy eating habits and lifestyles at home for you and your kids - actions speak louder than words.
The Henry County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination poliicies: Chris Padget, Title IX and 504 Coordinator, 300 N Trawick St., Abbeville, AL 36310, 334.585.2206, cpadget@henryschools.org.
