Monroe County Schools Celebrate National School Lunch Week

Packing or buying school lunch is a daily debate for many families. Monroe County Schools is hoping to educate parents about healthy school meal choices and encourage them to take advantage of convenient and well-balanced school lunches as part of National School Lunch Week celebrations, October 15-19, 2018.

The National School Lunch Week (NSLW) theme, "School Lunch - Lots 2 Love," reminds school communities and parents about the many nutritious choices and continued improvements to school lunch menus. Monroe County Schools is committed to the school nutrition program in the district and is excited to share successful and new SY2018-2019 food service initiatives with students and parents. Students in grades K-12 participate in Offer vs. Serve at lunch, which allows students to choose the fruits and vegetables and entrees they want each day. These options give students choices, but within the USDA guidelines for meal patterns, which states that students receiving a school lunch must choose either a fruit or a vegetable or both on their tray every day.

“A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk and whole-grain rich options are just a sampling of what’s offered in our cafeterias,” explains Monroe County Schools Nutrition Director Lisa Singley. “Our focus is on students’ nutrition, and our goal is to fuel students for learning by offering meals that are not only nutritious, but are palate pleasing as well.”

Students will be encouraged to show their love for school lunch from October 15-19 with specially planned menus, cafeteria events and more.

“It is so important that we celebrate the fantastic initiatives that are making our school lunches healthier, more accessible and more appealing to students across the state,” said Georgia School Nutrition Association President Nicole James. “National School Lunch Week helps us educate parents and students about all the healthy and appealing choices Georgia schools offer in our cafeterias to support students with a well-balanced school lunch.”

President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962. During this annual weeklong celebration, SNA members and students around the country celebrate what makes their local school lunch program special. Parents and students can follow the fun on Facebook.com/TrayTalk or TrayTalk.org

For more information about schools meals, visit Georgia School Nutrition Association or National School Lunch Week 2018.

About the Georgia School Nutrition Association

The Georgia School Nutrition Association (GSNA) is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 6,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the state. Founded in 1951, GSNA is devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well-being through school meals and sound nutrition education.