The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a nationwide federally funded meal program operating in public and nonprofit private school cafeterias. Their focus is to provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost lunches (or free lunches for underpriveledged kids) to all children each school day. Though the intentions of the NSLP are great, there is much debate on how well balanced school lunches really are. However, it seems improvements are being made each year and a greater focus is being placed on providing healthy food options.
Based on my experience, the school cafeteria offers what could be a nutritionally well balanced lunch. However, I find that it all rests in the choices that the child makes. There are lots of choices, which is good–but several of the options are poor nutritional choices. For instance… in my kids’ cafeteria a child may choose a piece of whole fruit (like a banana or orange) or they may choose canned fruit cocktail. Unfortunately, most kids choose the canned fruit cocktail, which pales in comparison nutritionally to the whole fruit. Likewise, in terms of entrees there always seems to be a healthy choice (for instance grilled chicked salad) along with one or two unhealthy options (for instance hamburgers or fish sticks). I wish the kids were given choices among only healthy items, which would make it easier and healthier for all of us!
National School Lunch Vote 2008
This week marks The National School Lunch Week which runs from October 13-17. The School Nutrition Association (SNA) works with the NSLP in establishing new, well balanced menus that kids are encouraged to learn about nutritionally and vote on their favorite new lunch meal. Kids nationwide are allowed to vote on their top choice at VoteforSchoolLunch.org. This year, the menu options are:
Biff Burger - low fat hamburger with toppings on whole wheat bun
Gloria Grilled Cheese - Grilled cheese on wheat bread paired with tomato soup
Larry Lasagna - vegetarian lasagna
Pete Pizza - pizza on whole wheat
Petunia Pita Pocket - turkey and brocolli salad in half a pita
If it were my choice? The Larry Lasagna — finally a vegetarian lasagna in the cafeteria!! The chance of vegetarian lasagna winning when kids are voting? Slim to None… Looks like it is packing more lunchboxes for me 
