Nutrition & School Food Service

Nutrition and Food Services

Nutrition Services participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Afterschool Snack Program, Summer Feeding Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Farm to School Initiative and the Food Distribution Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the district's student wellness policy?
The KCSD Student Wellness Policy is available online for our families to review. Our District Wellness Policy Annual Progress Report 2019 is also available online.  If you have questions or comments, please contact Food Services Coordinator Misha Lawyer.

How frequently is the student wellness policy reviewed?
The KCSD Student Wellness Policy is reviewed annually by a Wellness Committee. The most recent Wellness Policy Assessment was in February 2019. If you would like to participate in this review process, please contact Food Services Coordinator Misha Lawyer.

What can I expect from school meals?
Please review our "What Parents Can Expect from School Meals and Ideas for Home" flyer for information about school meals.

Where can I find nutrition information about student meals?
Nutrition and School Food Services provides nutrition information on the food served and sold in the cafeterias. The Food Facts information includes serving size, calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates, sodium and allergens. The Food Facts information is available on the district website and is constantly updated as new products are added.

Are school breakfasts and lunches nutritious? 
Recent Government Accounting Office (GAO) reports state “school meals are healthy and children who eat school meals consume more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy items than children who do not eat schools meals.” 
Research has shown lunches from home include a sandwich and three times more snack foods. This combination contains more carbohydrates, fat, and sugar. Milk was included in 87% of the school lunches and only 7% of lunches from home. 
School lunches sometimes get falsely accused of contributing to the childhood obesity issue but the research is evidence that school lunch plays a major role in keeping our children healthy

Are school lunches high in fat, sodium and calories? 
KCSD meals are planned by Registered Dietitians and according to federal regulations provide 1/3 of the students' Recommended Dietary Allowances and contain no more than 30 percent calories from fat and 10 percent calories from saturated fat averaged over the week. This information is printed on the parent monthly menu. 
Food items such as chicken tenders and pizza served in our schools are specified to contain limited amounts of fat and sodium. The nutrient content is different than those sold in local fast food restaurants. To reflect new dietary recommendation whole wheat grain breads, pizza crust, breakfast cereals, etc. and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are offered on menus. In addition special attention is paid to limit sodium, sugar and trans fatty acids.

Are students involved in menu planning?
To ensure menus reflect student preferences, student sampling and customer surveys provide the menu planners with feedback on the customers' likes and dislikes. 
Our goal is to plan menus that are affordable and more important provide students with several nutritious choices that they will select and eat. 

How can the school lunch program affect children's eating habits?
School Lunch can affect children's eating habits by: 
•Planning meals that reflect the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans – reduced fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, and increased grains (Whole Grain breads/cereals). 
•Exposing children to new foods and food preparations. 
•Offering a variety of fruits and vegetables. 
•Offering a variety of choices so children learn to make wise selections. 
•Limiting snacks and desserts to those with high nutrient content. 
•Teaching nutrition education in the classroom
•Active partner in the implementation of the Wellness Policy in the school community.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.