School Lunch Meal Pattern Requirements Nuts and Bolts of School Nutrition Programs Framingham State University August 6, 2015 Presented by: Julianna Valcour, M.Ed., RD Lisa Lao, M.S., RD, LDN Linda Fischer, M.Ed., RD, LDN

Agenda  Making It Count Website  Lunch Meal Pattern Requirements  Menu Activity  Reimbursable Meals and Offer vs. Serve  Activity – Recognizing Reimbursable Lunch Meals Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 2

Video: Making It Count Website: Meal Pattern Requirements – Part 1www.makingitcount.info Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 3

4 Lunch Meal Pattern Requirements

Lunch – Food Components Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 5 Five Food Components:  Fluid Milk  Fruits  Vegetables  Meat/Meat Alternates  Grains

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 6

 1 cup (8 fluid ounces) for all age/grade groups  Must offer daily variety (at least 2) of the following:  Fat-free unflavored  Fat-free flavored  Low-fat (1% or less) unflavored  Low-fat or fat-free lactose-reduced/lactose-free  Whole, 2%, and low-fat flavored milk not allowable Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 7 Fluid Milk Component

 Canned/dried fruit and 100% juice are allowed in addition to fresh fruit  Frozen fruits with added sugar are also allowed but should be used in moderation to keep the average school meal within the weekly calorie ranges Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 8 Fruits Component

 Limit on fruit juice applies to the total fruit offering per week  Regulation: No more than half of the weekly fruit offering may be in the form of 100% juice Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 9 Fruits Component

Example: Fruit Juice Requirement (based on 5 day school week) Education 10 School offers: = ½ cup Weekly Offering = 1 cup of total fruit daily (½ cup x 5 days) = 2 ½ cups = 5 cups total fruit over the week = ½ cup

Example: Fruit Juice Requirement Education 11 Rule: No more than half (½) of the weekly fruit offering may be in the form of juice Did the school meet the requirement? ½ cup x 5 days = 2 ½ cups ½ cup x 5 days = 2 ½ cups Half of 5 cups = 2 ½ cups The school offered over the week… YES!

 USDA Policy Memo SP (V.3) (July 22, 2015) – Smoothies Offered in Child Nutrition Programs  Smoothies Prepared by Local Operators:  Milk may be credited toward the fluid milk requirement  Pureed fruits and vegetables, when served in a smoothie, credit as juice and are subject to juice limitations Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 12 Fruit Smoothies

 Smoothies Prepared by Local Operators:  Yogurt may be credited as a meat alternate  Grains cannot be credited when served in a smoothie Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 13 Fruit Smoothies

 Fruits and vegetables are two separate components (see meal pattern chart)  A daily serving of vegetables (minimum daily quantity requirement)  Weekly variety requirement (5 subgroups):  Red/orange (carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes)  Dark green (romaine, spinach, broccoli)  Legumes/beans/peas (kidney beans, chickpeas)  Starchy (white potatoes, corn, green peas)  Other (cucumbers, celery, mushrooms) Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 14 Vegetables Component

 Minimum daily and minimum weekly requirements (see meal pattern chart)  All grains offered must be Whole Grain-Rich (WGR)* * Unless a Whole Grain Rich Product Exemption Waiver is requested through the State Agency Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 15 Grains Component

 Maximum weekly requirements for grains permanently waived by USDA on January 3, 2014  SFAs continue to be required to meet the weekly minimum and maximum range requirements for calories and the other dietary specifications Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 16 Grains Component

 For additional information on Grains, please refer to the Whole Grains in the School Meal Programs Presentation as part of the Nuts and Bolts of School Nutrition Programs training series. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 17 Grains Component

 Minimum daily and minimum weekly requirements (see meal pattern chart)  Maximum weekly requirements for meat/ meat alternates permanently waived by USDA on January 3, 2014  SFAs continue to be required to meet the weekly minimum and maximum range requirements for calories and the other dietary specifications Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 18 Meat/Meat Alternate Component

 Operators may offer a wide variety of products  Lean meats and poultry, eggs, fish  Low-fat cheeses, yogurt, beans, nuts and seeds  Tofu and soy yogurt now creditable  USDA Policy Memo SP : Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 19 Meat/Meat Alternate Component

 Things to Consider  Veggie Burgers - look for CN label  Crediting Yogurt - 4oz. = 1 oz. MA equivalent  Greek Yogurt - awaiting USDA policy memo on crediting Greek yogurt Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 20 Meat/Meat Alternate Component

Child Nutrition (CN) Labels  What are Child Nutrition Labels? Allows manufacturers to state the contribution on their labels. The program provides a warranty against audit claims for purchasers of CN labeled products  How does the Program work? Requires an evaluation of a product's formulation by FNS to determine its contribution toward meal pattern requirements Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 21

Child Nutrition (CN) Labels Are CN Labels Required? No!  Manufacturers are NOT required to obtain CN labels for their products  Schools are NOT required to purchase products with a CN label Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 22

How do I identify a CN label? In addition to required labeling features, a CN label will always contain the following:  The CN logo (which is a distinct border) The meal pattern contribution statement  A 6-digit product identification number  USDA/FNS authorization statement  The month and year of approval Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 23

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 24

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 25 Dietary Specification Requirements

Calories:  Minimum and maximum levels Saturated Fat:  Less than 10% of calories from saturated fat Sodium:  Target limits phased in gradually (Target 1 – SY ; and Target 2 – SY ) and final sodium reductions (SY ) Trans Fat Limit:  Zero grams per offered portion (check labels) Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 26 Dietary Specifications

 Calorie ranges are based on science and data on children’s food intake  Calorie ranges apply on a weekly basis  The meals offered on average over the week must be within the calorie range (min/max)  Individual meals offered may be below or above the calorie range  Calories do not apply to meal selected by individual student  Student selections may also be above or below the ranges Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 27 Calories

1.At your table, review the following sample menu. 2.Indicate and discuss any menu planning errors you see. 3.What changes can you make to the menu to meet meal pattern requirements for the day/week? Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 28 Menu Activity

1.Certification of Compliance Worksheets 2.Technical Assistance and Guidance Materials compliance Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 29 USDA Resource Tools for Menu Planning

1.Massachusetts Menu Planning Project A 4-week cycle menu meeting the current meal pattern for the National School Lunch Program. 2.Recipe Tool An easy-to-use recipe analysis tool for schools to analyze, share, save and print recipes. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 30 Resource Tools for Menu Planning from The John C. Stalker Institute

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 31 Lunch Offer Versus Serve Requirements

 OVS is a concept that applies to menu planning and the meal service  Allows students to decline some of the food offered, however, students must select at least ½ cup of the fruit or vegetable component as part of a reimbursable breakfast or lunch  The goals of OVS are to reduce food waste and to permit students to choose the foods they want to eat  Optional at all levels for breakfast Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 32 What is Offer Versus Serve?

 Must offer all five components (fruit, vegetable, grain, meat/meat alternate, and milk)  Food items must be offered in at least the minimum daily required amounts for each age/grade group Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 33 OVS at Lunch – What Schools Must Offer

To Qualify for a Reimbursable Meal:  A student must select at least three food components and one selection must be at least ½ cup of fruit or vegetable  Students must be allowed to select all five components if they wish based on the minimum daily required amounts for each age/grade group Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 34 OVS at Lunch – What Students Must Select

 Schools following serve only must offer all five food components in the minimum daily required amounts for each age/grade group  Students are not allowed to decline any food items under serve only Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 35 Serve Only Lunch Requirements

Identifying Reimbursable Meals Under Offer Versus Serve (Signage for Lunch and Breakfast)  Regulation (7 CFR (a)(2) requires that schools identify, near or at the beginning of serving lines, what foods constitute unit priced reimbursable meals  Schools using OVS must also identify what a student must select in order to have a reimbursable meal under OVS Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 36

Sample Signage – Greenwich, CT 37

Sample Signage – State of Iowa 38

Sample Signage – State of Wisconsin 39

Sample Signage – San Marcos Unified School District 40

Identifying Reimbursable Meals Under Offer Versus Serve  In addition to signage or other methods used in the food service areas, schools should provide information on OVS in materials, such as menus and newsletters, provided to parents or posted on websites Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 41

1.At your table, review the following lunch meals/trays. 2.Indicate if the meal is reimbursable or not. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 42 Activity: Identifying Reimbursable Lunch Meals

Are The Following Lunches Reimbursable? 43

*Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern Pineapple Cup Pear Hot Dog on WG bun Sweet Potato Fries Carrot Sticks WG Oatmeal Cookie

*Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern Hamburger on WG bun Oven Fries Green Beans Apple Crisp Orange Canned Pears

*Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern Celery Sticks Kiwi Slices Apple Juice Carrot Sticks Sunbutter and Jelly on WG bread

*Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern Black Bean Salad Raisins Watermelon Lettuce and Tomato Beef Tacos on WG Tortillas

*Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern Banana Mixed Fruit Cup Salad Dressing Salad with chicken and shredded cheese

*Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern Garden Salad Strawberry Cup Carrot Sticks WG Pasta with sauce Garlic Breadstick Apple

*Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern Popcorn Chicken Mashed Potatoes Fresh Grapes Canned Peaches WG roll Broccoli

*Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern Applesauce Orange Juice WG Pancakes Sausage LinksMaple Syrup

SERVE ONLY *Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern Pepper Strips WG Cheese Pizza Peach Raisins

*Assume all portions are in compliance with the meal pattern SERVE ONLY Roast Turkey Brown Rice Sweet Potato Fries Canned Peaches Sauteed Greens

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 54 Common Missteps with Meeting the Meal Pattern 1)Not offering the minimum requirements for appropriate age/grade ranges 2)Vegetable sub-groups are not met over the week 3)Vegetables are not being offered to all students over the week

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 55 Common Missteps with Meeting the Meal Pattern 4)Weekly meat and grain minimums are not being met 5)Students are not taking either a ½ cup of fruit or vegetable to count the meal as reimbursable 6)No signage near or at the beginning of serving lines

USDA - Nutrition Standards for School Meals Website Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 56 Includes Up to Date:  Regulation Information  Technical Assistance and Guidance Materials

Questions?? Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 57

Contact Information Linda Fischer, M.Ed., RD, LDN   Tel. # Lisa Lao, M.S., RD, LDN   Tel. # Julianna Valcour, M.Ed., RD   Tel. #

Resources John Stalker Institute of Food & Nutrition: Making it Count: Mass in Motion - Create Healthier Schools (MA School Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods and Beverages): Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – Office for Nutrition, Health and Safety Programs: USDA – Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Program

Resources USDA – Food Fact Sheets: USDA – New Meal Pattern in Schools: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, July USDA – Nutrition Standards for School Meals: USDA – Webinars: