10-20-2015, 11:32 AM
Schools are finding it tough to get out from under the government nutrition thumb. Or dare I say Mrs. Obamas thumb.
School officials will grapple tonight with a new wrinkle resulting from the decision to remove its high school from the national school lunch program.
Londonderry opted out of federal guidelines for nutrition and portion size in school lunches at the start of this school year, saying students weren’t eating the lunches and both money and food were being wasted.
That meant forgoing federal funding for the 8 percent of high school students who receive free and reduced-price meals. The price of lunch increased by 55 cents to $2.75 to help offset the loss.
Dining services director Amanda Venezia said Monday she was told in a conference call last week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture may now treat the school as a processing facility.
The categorization would impose substantial regulatory and financial burdens, she said, requiring at least one new hire and lots of paperwork.
Late Monday afternoon, a USDA spokesperson said she did not have enough information to comment.
Londonderry Superintendent Nathan Greenberg said officials plan to ask the school board to contact legislators, who could help secure a waiver for the school.
Since opting out of the national program, the school has had more leeway to design its own dining offerings.
Rolled out in three stages, the options include new menu items, a new snack room, a coffee bar and a frozen-yogurt machine that officials said has sold like gangbusters since its introduction a few days ago.
A salad bar is forthcoming next month.
Venezia said she feels the school’s program now meets adequate nutritional standards while providing food students will actually eat.
About 33 percent of students participated in the school lunch program this September, up from 29 percent last September when the school was still part of the federal program
School officials will grapple tonight with a new wrinkle resulting from the decision to remove its high school from the national school lunch program.
Londonderry opted out of federal guidelines for nutrition and portion size in school lunches at the start of this school year, saying students weren’t eating the lunches and both money and food were being wasted.
That meant forgoing federal funding for the 8 percent of high school students who receive free and reduced-price meals. The price of lunch increased by 55 cents to $2.75 to help offset the loss.
Dining services director Amanda Venezia said Monday she was told in a conference call last week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture may now treat the school as a processing facility.
The categorization would impose substantial regulatory and financial burdens, she said, requiring at least one new hire and lots of paperwork.
Late Monday afternoon, a USDA spokesperson said she did not have enough information to comment.
Londonderry Superintendent Nathan Greenberg said officials plan to ask the school board to contact legislators, who could help secure a waiver for the school.
Since opting out of the national program, the school has had more leeway to design its own dining offerings.
Rolled out in three stages, the options include new menu items, a new snack room, a coffee bar and a frozen-yogurt machine that officials said has sold like gangbusters since its introduction a few days ago.
A salad bar is forthcoming next month.
Venezia said she feels the school’s program now meets adequate nutritional standards while providing food students will actually eat.
About 33 percent of students participated in the school lunch program this September, up from 29 percent last September when the school was still part of the federal program
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.