Effective in September 1983 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires schools to document and verify income information from three percent or 3,000 students approved for subsidized lunches. While there is some flexibility in confirming eligibility, schools must provide evidence of income levels. Outlined are the types of…

Designed to meet the needs of children who have no other means of receiving nutritious meals during the summer months, the summer food program operates out of schools, churches, playgrounds, parks--facilities which can demonstrate that they have the capability to serve wholesome meals and snacks to children in needy areas. (Author/NQ)

Officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been offering schools more fresh fruits and vegetables through the commodities program. Despite problems in delivering perishable food in good condition, food directors are supporting the program. However, two new free-trade agreements and the Republican-led Congress may change the…

Open-campus policies can devastate school lunch programs. Some school systems compete with fast-food outlets by offering similar menus; others hire private contractors to construct mall-like food courts. Several Colorado and California school districts have devised innovative programs to halt lunchtime flight without sacrificing nutrition. A…

Black students are frequently suspended at much higher rates than students from other races or ethnicities. Analyses of suspension data over a three-year period were conducted to explain between-school variability in the percentages of Black students suspended in secondary schools at a large urban school district. Results of hierarchical backward…

We used data from the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment III Study to examine the dietary patterns of school meal program participants and nonparticipants and the relationship between school meal participation and children's BMI and risk of overweight or obesity. School Breakfast Program (SBP) participants consumed more low nutrient energy dense…

With Michigan's public school districts facing a decline in per-pupil funding, more districts are contracting out for at least one of the three major school support services--food, custodial and transportation--than ever before. This year's survey of school districts found that 44.6 percent of all Michigan school districts contract out for at…

In 2004, after an in-depth review of student achievement data for over 4,000 students, the administration of a school district in southern Minnesota identified the following challenges: (1) above-state-average number of special education students; (2) increasing number of English as Second Language (ESL) students; (3) increasing number of students…

The Oregon Statewide Report Card is an annual publication required by law (ORS 329.115), which reports on the state of public schools and their progress towards the goals of the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century. The purpose of the Oregon Report Card is to monitor trends among school districts and Oregon's progress toward achieving the…

Published annually since 1997, Newark Kids Count tracks key trends in child health and well-being in New Jersey's largest city with the latest statistics available. Newark Kids Count includes the latest statistics, along with five-year trend data, in the following areas: population and demographics, family economic security, affordable housing,…

More than 50 million meals are served annually to Colorado's children through the national school lunch program, school breakfast program, special milk program, and summer food service program. This report provides descriptions of these programs, information on free and reduced price meals and how to qualify, revenue sources for these programs, a…

The goal of the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) option in the Healthy School Meals Initiative is to minimize plate waste and to encourage more food choices in school meal programs. This manual was designed for child nutrition programs as a tool in helping them meet the Healthy School Meals Initiative, in particular to assist them in identifying a…

This training manual introduces school food service, child nutrition program goals, and programs in Michigan. It also studies food service backgrounds, noting, for example, that "penny lunches" began in Philadelphia in 1894 and that Holland was the first country--in 1900--to legislate school lunches, as well as legal activities over the…

This menu planning guide for school lunches and breakfasts contains: (1) lunch requirements, recommendations, and policies; (2) the basics of menu planning; (3) how to vary portions for various age/grade groups; (4) planning breakfasts; (5) merchandising school lunches and breakfasts; and (6) nutrition education and menu planning; Appendixes…