National School Lunch Week 2005 October 11-15, 2005

History of The National School Lunch Program Legislation passed June 4, 1946 by President Harry S. Truman Program developed in response to many men being rejected from the military during World War II due to diet related problems More than 27 million children have participated in the National School Lunch Program The National School Breakfast Program and Snack Program have since been enacted                                                  www.asfsa.org/childnutrition/history/index.asp

How Does the Program Work? Schools receive reimbursements and commodities from USDA for the meals they serve In return, the school must provide a lunch that meets federal and nutritional requirements at a low cost to children and parents                                                                                                   www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/AboutLunch/NSLPFactsheet.htm

Nutritional Requirements of School Lunch School lunches must: Provide 1/3 of the RDA for protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories for children Follow the Dietary Guidelines: No more than 30% of total calories may come from fat Less than 10% of total calories may come from saturated fat www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/AboutLunch/NSLPFactsheet.htm

Goals of School Lunch Promote variety, balance, and moderation in meal planning Protect the health and well-being of children Teach children to make healthy food choices Teach children to understand the importance of food choices in their overall health

School Foodservice Staff Promotes nutrition education in the school cafeteria Trained to understand the role of nutrition in health