Meal Guidelines

School meals are well-balanced, healthy meals that are required to meet science-based, federal nutrition standards:

• No more than 30 percent of calories can come from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat
• Meals must provide one-third of Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium
• School meals are served in age-appropriate portion sizes

Every school lunch includes five great choices that add up to a great value:

• Milk – Fat free or one percent – flavored or regular
• Vegetables – Many varieties, from broccoli to fresh carrot sticks
• Fruit – Many choices from kiwi to locally grown apples; often fresh fruit
• Grains – More whole grain items like rolls or sandwich bread
• Meat or meat alternate – White meat chicken, bean chili, lean beef

Every school breakfast includes:

• Milk – fat-free or 1%  – flavored or regular
• Fruit and Juice – 100% fruit juice and/or other fruit choices from kiwi to locally grown apples; often fresh fruit
• Grain – 51% whole grain items
• Meat or meat alternative – yogurt, turkey sausage, eggs, string cheese