New nutrition policy calls for lunch menu change
By: Jessica Beym
Students at the Cranbury School can say goodbye to ice cream and the other sugary foods that have been pulled from the lunch menu this year.
A new federal nutrition policy adopted by the Board of Education on Sept. 5 means students are eating less fat and have more healthy choices of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
With its adoption, a number of foods are now prohibited from being served during or after school, which includes food brought in for classroom parties or birthday celebrations. The policy bans soda, water ices, gum and any form of candy, as well as any food or beverage that lists any form of sugar as its first and main ingredient.
"Obviously, there’s an issue about child obesity today," said Joan Weidner, a member of the Board of Education. "In order to combat that, the federal government put out these guidelines in hopes of having kids eat healthier than they might otherwise."
The regulations also list the allowed maximum fat content for foods no more than 8 grams of total fat and no more than 2 grams of saturated fat per serving.
Dianne Snodgrass, the Sodexho food service director at the school, said that the new policy would hardly come as a shock to the students. Changes to the type of foods offered and how they are prepared began last year, she said.
"We have been extremely proactive," Ms. Snodgrass said. "We knew the regulations were coming so we wanted to get the kids used to them."
Lauren Borrelli, the general manager in the cafeteria, said that when she came to the Cranbury School in December, the first thing she did was get rid of the deep fryer. Lunchtime standards such as Monday’s hash browns and Tuesday’s fish sticks are still offered but are healthier, Ms. Borrelli said. Only foods with no trans fats are offered and, rather than frying them, they are baked.
Last year, other high-calorie items such as soda, cookies and potato chips were tossed aside. In their place, 100 percent fruit juices, 1 percent reduced fat milk and water were offered. Sweet cookies and salty chips are still available, but the cookies have no trans fats and the chips are baked.
With the new regulations, the school has gone one step further and has eliminated ice cream and any other high-sugar snacks.
"There’s no ice cream or candy this year," Ms. Snodgrass said. "We haven’t had candy in years though."
In addition, whole-wheat hamburger and hot dog rolls could take the place of white bread and a larger variety of juices, such as vegetable and grape, will be offered.
"A lot of this, we’ve already done ahead of time," Ms. Borrelli said. "The kids don’t notice a change because they still have lots of choices. They’re just healthier."
Aside from the scheduled hot lunch, students can opt for substitutes such as a bagel and cheese cup which Ms. Snodgrass said is rich in protein a fresh salad, or lunch wrap. Side dishes vary from yogurt to a fresh fruit cup or low-fat snacks such as pretzels or baked chips.
Ms. Snodgrass, who has been working with the food service industry for 15 years, said she has seen drastic changes in the preparation of foods and what is being offered to children.
"There used to be fryers in every school, now they don’t have them," Ms. Snodgrass said. "There were vending machines with soda and candy and you don’t see those anymore. Today, there are a lot more choices, healthier choices. The kids are definitely eating better."
Ms. Weidner said the district hopes the healthy alternatives will help change the students’ eating habits, both in and out of school.
"We represent just one part of their day and whatever they eat outside of school, we don’t control," Ms. Weidner said. "Hopefully, it sends some sort of message that nutritional food is important and that we hope they eat healthy at other times as well."

