As a federal program under USDA regulations, our menus must meet the USDA meal pattern for lunch, shown below (1):
|
Grades K-5 |
Grades 6-8 |
Grades 9-12 |
Fruits |
2 1/2 cups/week
1/2 cup/day
|
2 1/2 cups/week
1/2 cup/day
|
5 cups/week
1 cup/day
|
Vegetables |
3 3/4 cups/week
3/4 cup/day'
|
3 3/4 cups/week
3/4 cup/day'
|
5 cups/week
1 cup/day
|
Dark Green |
1/2 cup/week
|
1/2 cup/week
|
1/2 cup/week
|
Red/Orange |
3/4 cup/week
|
3/4 cup/week
|
1 1/4 cup/week
|
Beans/Peas |
1/2 cup/week
|
1/2 cup/week
|
1/2 cup/week
|
Starchy |
1/2 cup/week
|
1/2 cup/week
|
1/2 cup/week
|
Other |
1/2 cup/week
|
1/2 cup/week
|
3/4 cup/week
|
Additional |
1 cup/week
|
1 cup/week
|
1 1/2 cup/week
|
Grains* |
≥8 oz eq^ / week
≥1 oz eq^ / day
|
≥8 oz eq^ / week
≥1 oz eq^ / day
|
≥10 oz eq^ / week
≥2 oz eq^ / day
|
Meat/Meat Alternate |
≥8 oz eq^ / week
≥1 oz eq^ / day
|
≥9 oz eq^ / week
≥1 oz eq^ / day
|
≥10 oz eq^ / week
≥2 oz eq^ / day
|
Milk |
5 cups/week
1 cup/day
|
5 cups/week
1 cup/day
|
5 cups/week
1 cup/day
|
*80% of grains offered must be whole grain
^ An "oz eq" is defined by the USDA Food Buying Guide
' All Hamilton County students are offered 1 cup vegetable each day for a total of 5 cups per week
Additionally, the menus must meet specific nutrient standards (1). The following are calculated with a weekly, weighted average, where items that students choose more often weighing more into the analysis than those chosen less frequently.
|
Grades K-5 |
Grades 6-8 |
Grades 9-12 |
Min-Max Calories (kcal)
|
550-650 |
600-700 |
750-850 |
Saturated Fat (% of total calories)
|
< 10 |
< 10 |
<10 |
Sodium (mg) |
<1110 |
<1225 |
<1280 |
Trans Fat |
All labels must indicate 0g |
All labels must indicate 0g |
All labels must indicate 0g |
References
(1) Food and Nutrition Services. United States Department of Agriculture. "Final Rule Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs". Jan 2012.