School Meals BRIGHT IDEAS

Listed below are BRIGHT IDEAS about School Meals. You can view all of the School Meals BRIGHT IDEAS by Submit Date, Academic Year Implemented, Title or Organization. Click on the title to read the bright idea.

Promoting Healthy Eating At School

Who	:	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Where	:	school
When	:	2000-2004 Academic Year
Submitted On	:	August 11, 2004

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School's Child Nutrition Services and the Mecklenberg County Health Department wanted to promote healthy eating at school. We promoted healthy eating by making a variety of changes in the school meal program. Recipes were revised to reduce fat and include an nutritional analysis,vegetarian and vegan entrees were provided. The availability of ethnic food and soup offerings were expanded and Winner's Circle "Munch Boxes" were provided as an alternative to grocery store boxed meals. In 2004-2005 we plan on making additional changes such as eliminating French Fries,providing non-starchy vegetables and increasing the availabilty of fiberous foods. In addition all elementary schools and afterschool programs will carry Winner's Circles packaged snacks,whole milk will be replaced with 1% and skim milk and a wellness/nutrition Message of the Day will be offered in all schools.

Superintendent Challenge Winner!!

Who	:	East Side Union High School District (Santa Clara
Where	:	school
When	:	2003-2004 Academic Year
Submitted On	:	July 26, 2004

The East Side Union High School District hoped to change eating behaviors and conform to the District's new nutritional focus. The District limited competitive food sales and decreased the anount of junk food sold at fundraising activities. The District also marketed the nutritious school lunch program by creating a promotional week of free meals for all students and staff and providing the nutritiious meals at reduced prices thereafter. The District also drafted a physical activity policy and integrated innovative and slef competitive concepts into the PE program to provide opportunities for students to be physically active outside of PE Classes.

Creating a Comprehensive District Nutrition Policy

Who	:	Oakland Unified School District
Where	:	school
When	:	2001-2002 Academic Year
Submitted On	:	March 18, 2004

Controversy over a district-wide beverage contract led the school district to develop a comprehensive nutrition policy with input from community members and district staff. The policy eliminated the sale of soda and unhealthy snack foods and also addressed issues like hunger and cultural diversity.

Making Food Service Viable without a la Carte Foods

Who	:	Folsom Cordova Unified School District
Where	:	school
When	:	1994-1995 Academic Year
Submitted On	:	March 18, 2004

This school district found a very successful method for eliminating a la carte foods and beverages from its school meal program. Students now get healthy, appealing school meals. The food service program has gone from a budget deficit to a budget reserve.