In the wake of multistate outbreaks and subsequent economic cost and health causalities, food industry stakeholders formulated policies for their produce suppliers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guidance on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) have been the basis for most of the industry initiated GAP certifications or audit processes. In…

Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to provide baseline data and characteristics of food served and consumed prior to the recently mandated nutrition standards as authorized by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). Methods: Over 600,000 school lunch menus with associated food production records from 61 elementary schools…

Background: The high prevalence of obesity puts children at risk for chronic diseases, increases health care costs, and threatens to reduce life expectancy. As part of the response to this epidemic, the New York City (NYC) Department of Education (DOE)--the nation's largest school district--has worked to improve the appeal and nutritional quality…

A survey taken of mothers and children in two upstate New York school districts in order to determine the need for and effects of the childrens' participation in a free school lunch program found that a significant number of mothers and children could name important foods, but few could provide valid nutritional reasons. (Author/JM)

Guidelines for implementing and operating a school breakfast program in New York are provided in this document. Following an introduction that explains the need for school breakfast programs, sections describe program history, meal pattern requirements, eligible participants, and available state and local financial assistance. Program requirements…

The new approach taken by the New York City Health Department to the problems of surveillance and maintenance of high sanitation standards in food service establishments is explained. Results of a pilot study are presented followed by the new procedures and evaluation. Future plans are then indicated. (LS)

Describes initiatives in New York State to meet student nutrition needs, including the Statewide Training Network for School Food Service Workers and the Nutrition Comes Alive in the Cafeteria program. Emphasizes the role of local boards of education in supporting better nutrition in school lunch and breakfast programs. (FMW)

Today's school food services programs in New York State's schools are a massive undertaking entailing the expenditure of $260 million in federal, state, and local funds each year. To assist schools in this substantial enterprise, this revised handbook presents rules and recommendations on responsibilities of the board, types of food services,…