Schools Provide Sneak Preview of School Lunch

ALEXANDRIA, Va, Sept. 23, 1999 - Schools across the country will provide a sneak preview of today's school lunch to parents and community leaders during the 36th annual National School Lunch Week (NSLW), October 11 - 15, 1999. Using this year's fun movie theme, "Four Stars for School Lunch", the main features for lunch are menus created around some of American's favorite movies that include a new twist on some of kid's favorite foods such as pizza, chicken nuggets and tacos.

"We are working hard to offer students meals that are not only nutritious, but appetizing and fun," according to Phyllis Griffith, president of the American School Food Service Association. "National School Lunch Week is the perfect opportunity for schools across the country to demonstrate to students, teachers and parents alike the creative and nutritious menus we offer, which make school lunch fun and an important part of the school day."

"The Wizard of Oz" menu features Wizardwiches (pizzaburger on whole-wheat bun), Twister Tots, and Over-the Rainbow Vegetables (vegetable medley). Orange slices, Yellow Brick Cookies (Lemon Sugar Cookies) and Munchkin Milk top off this timeless classic. Another hit with kids will be the "Star Wars" menu featuring Asteroids (chicken nuggets) with Moon Dip, Hot Rocket Roll, Potato Planets (whipped potatoes) and Veggie Blasters (raw vegetable strips). Cosmo Cobbler and Milky Way Milk round out this blockbuster. The "Jungle Book" menu features Pizza Pride, Wild String Beans, Swinging Vine Salad and a Baboon Banana. Wrapping up this children's classic is a Mongoose Muffin and Monkey Milk.

A recent survey of school foodservice directors conducted by the American School Food Service Association (ASFSA) showed that 88 percent of schools across the country plan to celebrate NSLW this year. Activities will include inviting family members and local politicians to have lunch with the students as part of the 4th annual Take Your Family To Lunch Day on Wednesday of NSLW; decorating cafeterias around this year's movie theme; featuring NSLW menus; holding special giveaways and contests; and educating students about the importance of eating healthy, well-balanced meals.

The number of students participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has increased for the 17th year in a row - 26.6 million meals served every school day. School meals have always been a great value for students in terms of the overall cost and the nutrition they provide. In comparison, lunch at popular fast-food restaurants is much more expensive, usually lacks fruits or vegetables, and does not include dessert.

School meal programs are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and must meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). These guidelines require that school lunches and breakfasts provide one-third and one-fourth of the RDAs, respectively, for calories, protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. They must also be low in fat.

NSLW was established in 1963 by a proclamation from President John F. Kennedy. It is designed to help raise awareness of and garner support for the role that school foodservice and nutrition programs play in the daily lives of America's children today, and in the strength of America tomorrow.

ASFSA has been advancing the availability, quality and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education since 1946. The association strives to see that all children have access to healthful school meals and nutrition education. Providing education and training; setting standards through certification and credentialing; gathering and transmitting regulatory, legislative, industry, nutritional and other types of information related to school nutrition; and representing the nutritional interests of all children, are the primary activities of the association.

Recognized as the authority on school nutrition programs, ASFSA has 50 state affiliates, hundreds of local chapters and over 60,000 members. The School Food Service Foundation, a subsidiary of ASFSA, plays a critical role in child nutrition by raising money for professional development and certification courses, as well as providing members with scholarship opportunities.

For more information visit the American School Food Service Association at www.asfsa.org