WFISD on Track with New School Nutrition Guidelines
By: Melissa Foy
Updated: January 26, 2012
This is the first time in 15 years nutritional standards for public schools have been raised, but WFISD has already implemented many of the changes, so the district will only have to make a few changes to receive federal reimbursements.
New standards call for more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
WFISD is already offering those options to students.
Kathy Bolton, WFISD Child Nutrition Director, says, "We've implemented whole grain hamburger buns, muffins, we've gone to wheat crackers, we have the fresh fruit available for breakfast and lunch every day across the district."
The district will only have to make one significant change before next school year.
"There will be a new meal pattern we will have to follow. We currently are at nutrient standards. We will have to change to the traditional meal planning system," Bolton says.
Meal planning means following certain guidelines that deal with the amount of calories in a meal and the number of fruit and vegetable options available to students, which the district already does.
As soon as meal plan guidelines are set and approved by the U.S. and state agriculture departments, officials hope to get district meal plans approved so they can get meal reimbursement funds from the government.
"And if we do and we get our menu certified through TDA, we will get an extra six cents reimbursement," Bolton says.
Another change students and parents can look forward to: Bolton says her team is looking at adding more vegetable dishes to the menu.
According to the new rules, pizza can now be considered a vegetable depending on the amount of tomato sauce or tomato paste on the pie, those we spoke with say don't count on that change to be made in WFISD.
New standards call for more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
WFISD is already offering those options to students.
Kathy Bolton, WFISD Child Nutrition Director, says, "We've implemented whole grain hamburger buns, muffins, we've gone to wheat crackers, we have the fresh fruit available for breakfast and lunch every day across the district."
The district will only have to make one significant change before next school year.
"There will be a new meal pattern we will have to follow. We currently are at nutrient standards. We will have to change to the traditional meal planning system," Bolton says.
Meal planning means following certain guidelines that deal with the amount of calories in a meal and the number of fruit and vegetable options available to students, which the district already does.
As soon as meal plan guidelines are set and approved by the U.S. and state agriculture departments, officials hope to get district meal plans approved so they can get meal reimbursement funds from the government.
"And if we do and we get our menu certified through TDA, we will get an extra six cents reimbursement," Bolton says.
Another change students and parents can look forward to: Bolton says her team is looking at adding more vegetable dishes to the menu.
According to the new rules, pizza can now be considered a vegetable depending on the amount of tomato sauce or tomato paste on the pie, those we spoke with say don't count on that change to be made in WFISD.
