Hopkins School District #270

09/09/2009

Question

Why does the district offer so many ala carte items on school lunch menus?

Answer

Hopkins Public Schools evaluates ala carte foods & beverages selections against the nutrition standards (listed below) as developed and recommended by the School Nutrition Association, Institute of Medicine and Alliance for a Healthier Generations. We believe that foods and beverages sold/served outside reimbursable student nutrition programs should complement, rather than compete with reimbursable meals. All of our beverages are either a zero calorie flavored water, 100% juice (in appropriate sizes) or milk. The nutritional needs of most teenagers vary a great deal based on growth, activity level, and a variety of other physical attributes. Supplemental food & beverages are often needed to fill those extra caloric needs; we work to offer supplemental foods & beverages that are nutrient dense, with high student acceptance. A list of what ala carte foods are sold at our secondary schools can be found at under the lunch menus section of our website.

Selection of food choices vary from school to school and from day to day.

Ala Carte Foods—limited to 200 calories or less per single serve portion:

• No more than 35 percent of total calories from fat
• Less than 10 percent of total calories from saturated fats
• Zero trans fat (less than 0.5 grams per serving)
• 35 percent or less of calories from total sugars
• Sodium content of 230 mg or less
• Due to nutrient density, nuts (1 oz), seeds (1 oz), cheese (1 oz), are exempt from fat, saturated fat standards; will be served in 1 oz sizes only.

Ala Carte Beverages

• Non-caffeinated, non-fortified beverages with less than 5 calories per portion as packaged (with or without nonnutritive sweeteners, carbonation, or flavoring) up to 20 oz. portion size
• Low-fat and fat-free milk with no more the 225 calories per 12 oz. portion size
• 100% juice or 100% juice/water blends with carbonation up to 12 oz.

Also, we have implemented a new student account system that allows parents easy access to their child(s) account and detail purchase information so that they have the information needed to establish and enforce their boundaries and limitations with their children. These discussions about the types of foods children are purchasing, and daily spending limits, are excellent teaching opportunities for parents to share and instill their beliefs and values with their children. Please note: parents do need to sign up for the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus; information on how to do that can be found on our portal login.