School Meal Goals and Guidelines

• Proper nutrition is crucial to your child's academic success.  The goal of school meals is to provide the right mix of fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein and whole grains to allow students to perform at their best.
• School meals offer:
  • Appropriate calories and portion sizes to meet student needs based on grade level.
  • Reduced saturated fat and zero grams of trans fat per meal.
  • Limited added sugars in all meals.
  • Reduced sodium in all meals.
  • A colorful variety of fruits and vegetables daily.
• Over the past few years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has put in place many guidelines to help students make healthier choices in the school cafeteria, based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) are designed to promote the health and well-being of children by providing nutritious meals to children. Our school district and others around the state participate in school meal programs. Learn more about the National School Lunch & Breakfast Program.

Foods offered through the Child Nutrition Program include high quality vegetables, fruits, low fat dairy products, whole grains and lean meats.  USDA has worked to reformulate products to lower sodium, sugar and fat to provide nutrient-dense and kid-friendly meal options for School Nutrition Programs across the country. Certain additives and preservatives are added to foods to allow for the safe storage of food and prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms and product spoilage. Additionally, preservatives can aid with preventing the change of color, flavor and texture of items and help in extending shelf life.

See all of our food items on the district’s menu, including full ingredient statements for products served in our meals.

What's New With School Meals?

• The Renton School District uses the Health-e Meal Planner menu app to provide students and families with a tool to view monthly school menus and to clarify appropriate menu items for each child. 
• Highlights of the most recent changes to the school menu:
  • Focus on fruits and vegetables at breakfast: students are required to take a 1/2-cup serving of a fruit and/or vegetable at both breakfast and lunch.
  • More whole-grain rich items are offered.
  • Healthier "Smart Snack" guidelines for all food and drinks sold during the school day.

 

How to get involved:

• Review what is available for school meals and talk with your student about what they will eat.
• Encourage your student to try new foods at home and at school.
• Encourage your child to limit screen time and accumulate 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
• Learn more about nutrition and balanced meals online.