What items must be part of a school lunch or breakfast?
School meals are required to meet the specifications set forth in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Schools have a great deal of flexibility in deciding which menu planning approach they choose to show they meet the standards. Nutrient Standard Menu Planning allows the school to use a computer to analyze all the foods offered. Assisted Nutrient Standard Menu Planning allows the school to select a menu which has been analyzed by another entity. Food Based Menu Planning requires the schools to serve foods by food group and meet a serving requirement each day. The state office will analyze this type of menu for nutritional compliance.
