Maschio's Food Services, Inc.

April 2010 Newsletter

Did you know that April is grilled cheese month? Find out more.
March 2010 Newsletter

Most important meal of the day--great breakfast ideas.
See all newsletters in our
Newsletter Archive


Model School Nutrition Policy
The Board of Education, or recognized school authority, recognizes that child and adolescent obesity has reached epidemic levels... Read More »

BUY FRESH, BUY LOCAL
Maschio's Food Services is pleased to be partnering with the Foodshed Alliance and the BUY FRESH, BUY LOCAL... Read More »

Nutrition Archive
Search:

Nutrition Awareness


Nutritionawareness1.jpg Maschio's desires to promote and reinforce nutrition in schools by providing meal choices that meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The cafeteria should be a place where students receive positive messages regarding nutrition. Well balanced, nutritious meals for students play an important role in academic achievement. Healthy choices on the lunch line are necessary for promoting a lifestyle and a lifetime of smart eating habits. We can work with school administrators to incorporate and promote wellness in general through the school food service program. We are willing to team with other school professionals to accomplish wellness education. Maschio's also works with school districts on planning and implementing their local school wellness policies as required by the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 2004. Our management staff is aware of the New Jersey Model Nutrition Policy which must be implemented by September of 2007. We will work closely with your district to insure conformance to these policies

nutritionawareness2.jpg The United States Department of Agriculture School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children requires that school lunches provide one- third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and one- third of the Recommended Energy Intake (REI) for calories over a week's cycle of menus. School breakfasts must provide one-fourth of the RDA and REI. School meals must comply with the applicable recommendations of the most current Dietary Guidelines for Americans including limits on fat (30 percent of total calories) and saturated fat (less than 10 percent of total calories).

The enhanced food based menus of Maschio's Food Services meet or exceeds these recommendations. Nutrient levels and portion requirements are based on grade levels. Our company Dietitian reviews menus for USDA compliance and nutrient levels using the "NutriKids" software. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture will review school menus every five years to determine that component and quantity requirements are being met and will also perform a nutrition analysis to evaluate the degree to which the school is using the meal pattern to meet nutrition standards.

nutritionawarenss3.jpg As part of our overall food service program, we incorporate nutrition awareness activities. They may include other professional staff within the school and may be coordinated with classroom activities. Your school may want to become a "Team Nutrition" member to assist your district in focusing attention on the important role nutritious school meals, nutrition education and a health promoting environment play to help students "enjoy" healthy eating. Team Nutrition is the basis for a team effort by school nutrition staff, teachers, parents and your local media. In the following pages we show just a few examples of some activities that help raise awareness to the importance of good nutrition as part of a healthy lifestyle.