Valley updates lunch program

By Joelle D

    Valley completed the state-mandated review of their Child Nutrition Program in mid-January, resulting in a favorable review.  Every school in Iowa is required to offer foods from five food groups in special amounts to all students.  Each school is also mandated to allow secondary students to choose which three, or more, items of the five offered they want to make a government reimbursable meal.  This is called Offer-Versus-Serve (OVS).  Each school also has the decision of whether elementary students are given this option. Valley has chosen to extend OVS down through third grade.

    Valley’s review showed the elementary students were choosing to take the fruit and/or vegetables while the students at the secondary level were not choosing to take the fruit and vegetables offered.  Due to these results, Valley is required to offer different food choices at the secondary level to make sure all of the students receive a healthy, balanced nutrient intake.

    The Child Nutrition Program is a federally funded program that is heavily governed by laws and regulations, with the newest being the Healthy Kids Act, which goes into effect July 2010.  This law is nutrient-based and will affect all schools in the areas of fundraising and vending machines. Valley has also chosen to become a “Team Nutrition” school.  Team Nutrition is part of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Being a Team Nutrition school offers students and staff resources to help increase physical activity and healthy eating with the goal of eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  Nutrition education will be offered to the elementary students throughout the year.  Valley will also be working on the Healthier U.S. School Challenge, a federal program which designates a school as gold, silver, or bronze which is the ultimate goal of being a Team Nutrition School.  The Valley Foodservice is looking forward to a healthy and tasty school year!