1. Nutritionally and Financially!
Staying Fit Nutritionally and Financially!
Staying Fit
Nutritionally and Financially!
School Nutrition Association
Annual National Conference
July 15, 2007
Amy L. Harkey, MS,RD,LDN
Harkey, A.

3. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte, NC
163 Schools
137,279 Students
45.5% Free and Reduced

4. Child Nutrition Services
Self-Operated
25,000 Breakfasts Daily
73,000 Lunches Daily
33,000 Adult & Ala Carte Daily
15,500 After School Snacks Daily
1,300 Cafeteria Employees
28 Central Office Staff

5. NC Nutrition Standards Pilot for Elementary Schools
January – May 2005, Piloted and held harmless for losses in 7 NC School Districts
124 Elementary Schools
$5,377 Average Revenue Loss per School
$330,665 Total Revenue Loss

6. NC Nutrition Standards
Grades K-5
NC Board of Education Policy
October 6, 2006
Compliant with Current Edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans
USDA School Meals Initiative

7. NC Nutrition Standards Elementary Meals
20-35% Fat average per week
≤ 10% Saturated Fat
Sodium and Trans Fat kept as low as possible
200 mg Cholesterol average per week, breakfast and lunch combined

8. Fried Foods not allowed
Whole Grain Serving offered Daily, will be increased to 8 servings per week
Fruits and/or Vegetables, four servings offered daily
Legumes offered once week
Milk 1% or less fat

9. NC Nutrition Standards Ala Carte
≤ 35% Total Fat
≤ 10% Saturated Fat
≤ 1% Trans Fat
≤ 1 ounce Nuts and Seeds
≤ 35% Added Sugar by weight

10. Milk 1% or less fat
Single Serving Yogurt or Frozen Yogurt
Water
50% or more Fruit Juice with no added sweeteners ≤ 8 oz
100% Frozen Fruit with no added sweeteners ≤ 8 oz

11. NC Nutrition Standards Single Serving Dairy
≤ 35% Total Fat
≤ 10% Saturated Fat
≤ 1% Trans Fat
≤ 200 Calories
≤ 35% Added Sugar by weight

12. NC Nutrition Standards After School Snack Programs
All food and beverages available to students shall meet the same criteria required for Ala Carte foods and beverages

13. NC Nutrition Standards Requirements
All NC Elementary Schools shall implement no later than the first day of the 2008 school year
Child Nutrition Services Section of the Department of Public Instruction shall monitor progress and compliance annually

14. Lobbying NC State Legislators
Child Nutrition needs Legislative Support
Funds requested to implement Nutrition Standards in Elementary Schools: $25 per student per year = $15 million
May 2007 Child Nutrition Standards now line item in State Budget

15. Why NC Nutrition Standards?
The Standards are being put in place to improve the health of the children in North Carolina
It is an investment in our future

16. How did CMS Child Nutrition Services get there?

17. Slowly,
We Crept

18. Step by Step Recipe by Recipe Year by Year

19. 2001 Removed Fryers in Elementary Schools All Grade Levels met SMI
Began reducing total fat, saturated fat and sugar in Elementary Ala Carte
Nutritional Analysis on all recipes
Vegetarian Entrees offered daily

20. 2002-2004 Vegan Entrees Introduced 10% Fruit Juices Eliminated
Nutrition Education added to Printed and Internet Menu
Whole Milk Eliminated
Introduced a Low Fat Reimbursable Lunch “in a box”

21. 2005-2006 Continued Improving Ala Carte Nutritional Value
Whole Grain Product Selection Increased
Grab and Go Breakfast Introduced
On-Line Payment Program Implemented

22. CMS Child Nutrition Services
August 2006 met NC Standards in all Elementary Schools
Dessert recipes modified to meet nutritional guidelines
Cafeteria Managers trained at Back to School Workshop

23. Revised Product Specification
CMS opted to limit daily dessert selections to 5 items or less
Managers may offer one flavor of the following: cookie, cake, fruit pie, pudding, approved convenience snack

24. Administrative Challenges
Procurement of Convenience and Trans Fat Free Items
Budgetary Impact due to Increase in Usage of Fresh Produce, Whole Grain and Convenience Products
Revenue Reduction in Ala Carte Sales due to Limited Selection

25. Nutritional Challenges
Increasing Nutrient Density, Fiber and Whole Grains
Sodium Restriction Compliance
Recipe Revision and Testing
Portion Control Compliance

26. Templates and Charts

27. Human Challenges Principal, Manager, Employee and Customer “Buy-In”
Emphasis on Reimbursable Meals verses Ala Carte Sales
Nutrition Education

28. Impact on Elementary School Participation

29. Number of Paid + Reduced + Free Meals Divided by Number of Days Divided by Average Daily Attendance

31. Number of Paid Meals Divided by Number of Days Divided by Average Daily Attendance of Paid Students

33. Impact on Elementary School Revenue

34. Reimbursement + Cash + Ala Carte + Money on Account Divided by Number of Days

36. NC Nutrition Standards Middle Schools
Standards are being drafted to pilot
CMS Initiatives
January 2006, selected five middle schools to pilot “No French Fries”
July 2006, removed all fryers
August 2006, eliminated French Fries and restaurant delivered pizza

37. Introduced “Pizza Fridays”

38. Impact on Middle School Participation

39. Number of Paid + Reduced + Free Meals Divided by Number of Days Divided by Average Daily Attendance

41. Number of Paid Meals Divided by Number Days Divided by Average Daily Attendance of Paid Students

43. Impact on Middle School Revenue

44. Reimbursement + Cash + Ala Carte + Money on Account Divided by Number of Days

46. CMS High Schools August 2006 Introduced Reimbursable Pizza Combo Meal
Streamlined Menu
Eliminated Low Volume Items
Introduced Build a Hoagie Bar

48. CMS High School Goals
Continue Nutritional Improvement of Ala Carte Selections
Increase Participation
Participate in drafting NC Nutrition Standards for High Schools and Implement before Mandated

49. Get the Word Out!

50. Since 2001 CMS Child Nutrition Services has had over 161 Media Interviews
Local Newspapers
Radio Stations
Local and Internal Television Stations

51. Web-Based Parent Access to Lunch Accounts
Monitor Purchases and Balances
when Low Balance
Debit or Credit Card Payment
Automatic Drafts

52. “Teachable Moments” Budgeting Money on Account Nutrition Education
Special Diet Compliance

53. Market Your Program Child Nutrition Web Pages
Partnership with Local Health Department, Sports Teams
150,000 Calendars Distributed
100,000 Monthly Menus Distributed

57. Posters for Schools

58. Join in the School Spirit

59. Wall Art to Promote Health

61. Customer Service Training
“You Can Make A Difference”
Required for CN Staff
Communications Skills
Team Building
Speak the Universal Language -

62. “S M I L E!”

63. "Stay Fit!"

64. Amy L. Harkey, MS,RD,LDN Assistant Director Child Nutrition Services