According to a 1991 National Cholesterol Education Program report, the best way to avoid heart trouble is to take early preventive measures. This means that children over age two should follow the same low-fat, low-cholesterol guidelines already recommended for adults. Sidebars contain a fat glossary and tips for cutting fat in school lunches.…

This report describes the requirements of federally funded child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the Special Milk Program; and a training program in child nutrition programs, the Network for Professionals. It gives a summary of the revenue sources for these programs and the requirements of the New Meals…

A Pennsylvania school district served meals to nearly 80 percent of the students this past year. Student participation was achieved by asking students' opinions, monitoring food quality, redesigning menus, increasing staff morale, providing a pleasant cafeteria atmosphere, and sponsoring nutrition programs. (MLF)

Creativity in using the commodity program to prepare school lunches, along with marketing techniques, has enabled some school districts to attract students and serve nutritious food. (MLF)

Nutrition integrity ensures that all foods available in schools for children are consistent with recommended dietary allowances and contribute to the development of lifelong, healthy eating habits. Attaining nutrition integrity is the goal of numerous changes in National School Lunch and Breakfast Program regulations. Outlines new federal…

This publication, which is based on the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment study, describes the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP), presents findings on the nutrients and foods provided in school meals, and describes the dietary intakes of the nation's students on a typical school day. Data were derived…

This report examines the Buy American provision of the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children of 1978. The compliance of school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program, the number of waivers from the Buy American provision granted by the Secretary of…

Lunches served in many school cafeterias are low in fiber and high in fat and salt. Some food service directors are willing to transform standard programs into models of healthful eating. School lunches teach children what is nutritionally desirable. (MLF)

This report identifies those qualities and characteristics that are usually associated with efficiently and effectively operated school food-service programs. Data were extracted from district audit reports filed with the South Carolina State Department of Education; from the South Carolina Department of Education Office of School Food-services;…

The goal of every school food service program is to serve nutritionally adequate, attractive, acceptable, and moderately priced meals. Recognizing that the quality of the meal depends upon the knowledge, ability, and judgment of the person planning menus, this guide provides information on the menu planning and meal service options available in…

Between 1989 and 1993, nearly 300 schools dropped out of the National School Lunch Program. Fast-food competition and open campuses lower student participation. In addition, complex rules and regulations apply to the federal program. Describes what some of the nonparticipating schools are doing to provide lunches to at-risk students. (MLF)

Schools are increasingly turning to fast-food restaurants such as Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut to fill the stomachs of kids turned off by standard school lunches. Kids are delighted, but critics say fast-food infiltration of school cafeterias encourages poor nutrition. Schools might consider adopting lighter fast-food fare or starting…

Like food-service establishments, child nutrition programs are responsible for preserving the quality and wholesomeness of food. Proper food-handling practices prevent contamination and job-related accidents. Application of the evaluation instrument presented in this document to individual programs helps to define proper practices, assess the…

Some of the factors considered in these guidelines include basic nutritional requirements, food component minimums, food variety, and amounts of food served in elementary and secondary school breakfast programs. Suggestions are made for serving foods that will appeal to young people. Samples of hot and cold menus are provided. Forms for evaluating…

School authorities in a total of 68 Alberta school jurisdictions (representing 82 percent of the student population of the province) responded to a request for details about the availability in schools of nonnutritious foods--defined as food that contains minimal nutrients in proportion to number of calories. Foods that are commonly consumed at…