Nutrition

National Guidelines

Atlantic Community Schools Nutrition Services menu planning meets and exceeds the required National School Lunch Guidelines.

Nutritious Meals

Breakfast and lunch are planned to offer nutritious meals, which average less than 30 percent of calories from fat if items from all food groups are eaten. The serving sizes are appropriate for the specific age groups. Items are offered in each of the food groups and students are allowed to decline items in two of the following groups:

• Meat/Meat Alternate – yogurt and cheese are included in this group
• Milk – skim, chocolate skim, 2 percent, 1 percent and whole milk
• Breads/Grains – school made rolls, buns, rice and pasta
• Vegetables – a hot vegetable and salad or raw vegetables
• Fruit – at least two fruit choices
• Offer vs. Serve

To encourage students to eat healthy, a variety of foods are offered. A lunch consists of a maximum of 5 items, 1 from each group. For the items to count as a meal, the students must select 1 item from at least 3 of the food groups listed above.