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Nutrition
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The primary goal of the food service programs provided by the Office of School Food and Nutrition Services is to provide our students with the nutritional support necessary to promote good health so that they may derive the maximum benefit from their educational programs.
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We understand that children have different nutritional needs as well as
personal taste preferences. We address this is by offering meals in components
and providing a variety of menu options in the form of choices. Providing meals
in this manner, and offering choices within each component category (fruit,
vegetable, entrée, bread and milk), gives each child the ability to customize a
meal that suits his or her appetite and food preferences. A younger child may
opt to select only three items, while an older child may select all of the
items offered. Staff members are instructed not to automatically put all the
components on every child’s tray, but to allow them the freedom to choose the
variety and number of items offered at each meal.
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Discontinuing the service of foods containing a specific ingredient, such as
peanuts, would not eliminate the possibility of student exposure to that
ingredient. Items that do not contain peanuts in any form may be produced in
manufacturing plants that also produce peanut products, often on the same
production line. Despite careful review of ingredient statements there is no
guarantee that a product not labeled as containing peanuts does not indeed
include this ingredient which may have been introduced as a “like” substitute
for an approved ingredient or included in error by the manufacturer. In
addition, this does not address the issue of students bringing
peanut-containing items from home.
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It is not possible to establish and maintain a “peanut-free environment” in the
cafeteria. As such, parents with concerns regarding special needs may be well
advised to consult with their medical professionals, the school administration
and the on-site health care professional, such as the school nurse, to
ascertain the best course of action for their children and to assist the
students in making appropriate choices. Monthly menus are posted in each
cafeteria and can also be accessed on this website.
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