Key Messages

   

January 2011

Suggested Key Messages for School Lunch Nutrition Whenever you are speaking to a reporter or to a group of concerned parents, students or community members, you should prepare a few messages. These messages help to ensure that you communicate the information you believe is most important for that audience to hear. Below are some suggestions. •

It’s been exciting to see the increased attention that school lunch is getting from parents, students, communities and the media. With this shared focus, we can positively impact our national goals of reducing childhood obesity and improving nutrition for our students.

•

We are pleased that the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act passed in December, 2010. Here at (name of school), we’ve been proactively making changes to anticipate these new USDA guidelines. We’re introducing school lunch menu items with reduced sodium, no trans fats and increased whole grains.

•

Provide examples of new programs/products o Local produce from... o Expanded global menu items such as … o Working with a local chef to… o Partners, like Schwan’s Food Service and (others), are providing products with increased whole grains, reduced sodium, and valuable nutrients such as calcium o A la carte changes

•

Despite good intentions – there has been some incorrect information in the news and at the lunch table regarding what we’re doing at the school level.

•

School lunches are often as or more nutritious than those brought from home. o Our weekly meal plans meet USDA guidelines, which reflect the percent of fat that is allowed as well as total calories, protein, and percent of Vitamins A and C, iron and calcium.

•

•

We have increased our selection of o

Fresh fruits and vegetables

o

Other

Education – we’re helping our students make the right choices o Provide examples specific to your school

•

We have many considerations when planning our meals o o o o

 

Food safety and consistency of product and preparation Nutritional balance of weekly menus Providing food that students will want to eat Cost