Nutrition requirements

Minnetonka Nutrition Services participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Menus are planned according to NSLP requirements, with each meal consisting of one to two ounces of meat or meat alternative, at least one serving of a fruit, a vegetable, grain or bread and eight ounces of milk. Lunches must meet one-third of the calories and recommended daily allowances (RDA) for key nutrients (protein, iron, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C) based on age/grade group. Serving sizes are those recommended in the USDA Dietary Guidelines. The serving sizes are appropriate to help teach students what a serving should look like. Choices of entrees are offered at each level to try to meet the food preference of students.

Offer vs. serve

The “Offer vs. Serve” federal regulation requires that students be offered (rather than served) all five food items comprising the full lunch meal. Students can choose three, four or five food items based on their preferences with one of those items being a full serving of a fruit or vegetable. Students are encouraged to take all of the food items offered because it provides a balanced meal for the best price.

Fruits and vegetables

Current research results reinforce the importance of fruits and vegetables in the diet. We continue to offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, both on the salad bar and with the other lunch options. This year, we will continue to purchase fruits and vegetables from Bergin Fruit and Nut Company and participate in the Department of Defense Fresh Produce Program. This government program helps defray costs so we can offer more fruit and vegetable choices. Students who do not choose a fruit or vegetable must pay the cost of a non-federally funded meal.

Milk

Our school lunch program is required to offer milk as one of the components of the lunch. A choice of skim or 1% milk is offered. For lunches brought from home or à la carte purchases, the price of a carton of milk is 50 cents.

Lactose-reduced milk

A lactose-reduced milk will be provided to students at no extra charge upon the written request of the parent or guardian. Please include the name, grade and child's school. Parent or guardian requests can be submitted to Jane Bender at jane.bender@minnetonkaschools.org.

Non-reimbursable lunch charge

"Non-reimbursable" is a term we use when a student does not take what the USDA considers a "complete lunch". Each lunch menu consists of a minimum of 5 components: milk, protein, grain, fruit and vegetable item. A child must take a fruit or a vegetable item and 2 other different items from the menu in order for the lunch to be a "complete lunch". When a child does not select a complete lunch, we are not reimbursed by the federal and state agencies. If we are not reimbursed for the meal, we must pass those charges on to the cost of the student's meal. The non-reimbursable lunch cost reflects the actual cost of the meal. Our cashiers keep extra vegetable and fruit choices at their registers for students to take to make a complete lunch at the student price.