Meal Pattern Requirements for National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

Lunch Meal Components Students are offered daily the following food components: – Grains – Meat/Meat Alternate – Vegetables – Fruits – Milk

Lunch Meal Pattern Meal Pattern Grades K – 5 Amount of food per week (Mininum per day) Grades 6-8 Amount of food per week (Mininum per day) Grades 9-12 Amount of food per week (Mininum per day) Fruits (cups)2 ½ (1/2 cup daily) 5 (1 cup daily) Vegetables (cups) Dark Green Red/Orange Beans/Peas Starchy Other Additional Veg. 3 ¾ (3/4 cup daily) ½ cup ¾ cup ½ cup 1 cup 3 ¾ (3/4 cup daily) ½ cup ¾ cup ½ cup 1 cup 5 (1 cup daily) ½ cup 1 ½ cup ½ cup ¾ cup 1 ½ cup Grains8-9 (1 oz equiv.)8-10 (1 oz equiv.)10-12 (2 oz equiv.) Meats/Meat Alt.8-10 (1 oz equiv.)9-10 (1 oz equiv.)10-12 (2 oz equiv.) Fluid Milk 5 (1 cup)

Lunch Meal Pattern Other Specifications (weekly/daily average) Grades K-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12 Min-Max Calories Saturated Fat<10% of total Calories Sodium (mg)Less than or equal to 640 mg Less than or equal to 710 mg Less than or equal to 740 mg Trans Fat 0 grams

Breakfast Meal Components Students are offered daily the following food components: – Fruits – Grains – Milk

Breakfast Meal Pattern Meal Pattern Grades K – 5 Amount of food per week (Mininum per day) Grades 6-8 Amount of food per week (Mininum per day) Grades 9-12 Amount of food per week (Mininum per day) Fruits (cups)5 (1 cup daily) Grains7-10 (1 oz equiv.)8-10 (1 oz equiv.)9-10 (2 oz equiv.) Meats/Meat Alt.None required but can be offered if it meets the other specifications. Fluid Milk 5 (1 cup)

Breakfast Meal Pattern Other Specifications (weekly/daily average) Grades K-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12 Min-Max Calories Saturated Fat<10% of total Calories Sodium (mg)Less than or equal to 430 mg Less than or equal to 470 mg Less than or equal to 500 mg Trans Fat 0 grams

National School Lunch Program What must be offered? – 5 components including meat/meat alternate, grains, fruits, vegetables, and milk. – Students have a choice in their meals. Under offer vs. serve, students must take at least 3 items at lunch on their tray. One item must be their minimum requirement of fruit or vegetable.

Lunch Example Lunch offered: Turkey, mashed potatoes, peaches, roll and milk.  Student A took turkey, roll and milk. This is not a complete meal. They must have a fruit or vegetable on the tray.  Student B took turkey, roll, peaches, and milk. This is a complete meal.  Student C took roll, mashed potatoes, and fruit. This is a complete meal.  Student D took all of the lunch that was offered. This is a complete meal.

National School Breakfast Program What must be offered? – 4 food items including grains, fruits, milk, and an additional item such as another grain or meat. – Students have a choice in their meals. Under offer vs. serve, students may decline 1 item at breakfast but they must take a ½ cup of fruit or vegetable, if offered.