CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Schools across West Virginia are celebrating National School Lunch Week this week with the theme, “School Lunch – What’s Cooking?”
West Virginia has established itself as a national leader in child nutrition and wellness, becoming an early adopter of many requirements now included in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The new federal law calls for both fruits and vegetables to be offered every day; increases whole grain-rich foods; limits milk offerings to fat-free or low-fat; restricts calories and portions based on children’s ages; and reduces saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.
The West Virginia Board of Education became a trailblazer in 2008 by adopting one of the most progressive school nutrition policies in the nation. Policy 4321.1, Standards for School Nutrition set nutrition standards for food and beverages sold served or distributed in school. The Centers for Disease Control has posted the policy on its Center for Excellence website as an example for other schools to duplicate.
For recipes and more information visit www.TrayTalk.org, or contact the Office of Child Nutrition at (304) 558-2708 or the Office of Communications at (304) 558-2699.