what we offer. We want to be sure that all
our 350 employees are providing great
customer service in the cafeteria as well,
all the while making sure we have the best
products for our students.
“Our role is to support student achievement.
Providing options for a well-balanced
meal, promoting food nutrition education,
keeping the lines short so that students
can get back to class in a timely manner,
and promoting the many programs that we
offer are just some of what we do every
day. Each school is unique, so we try
to create an individual program for each
“The district tries to serve as much local
food in school cafeterias as possible.
For example, during Farm to School
Week, schools will highlight different
It helps students understand the value
of agriculture in our community, and
the general thought of where food
comes from.”
“We also have televisions in many of our
school cafeterias,” explained Manatee
County School District Marketing and
Communications Specialist, Jessica
Anderson. “We use them to promote good
nutrition education. We provide facts and
information on foods that promote healthy
eating, as well as exercise habits.”
FNS administers several programs that
provide healthy food to children including:
The National School Lunch Program,
School Breakfast Program, Child and
Adult Care Food Program, Summer
Food Service Program, Fresh Fruit and
Vegetable Program, and Special Milk
Program.
Administered by state agencies, each of
obesity by reimbursing organizations
such as schools, child care centers,
and after-school programs for providing
healthy meals to children.
The Summer Food Service Program
(SFSP) is something Manatee County
is really focusing on again this year.
It ensures that low-income children
continue to receive nutritious meals when
school is not in session. This summer,
Nutrition & Wellness
Policy 5.13
Smart Sn ck
Idea List
The following are snacks that comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Smart Snack
requirements and the Manatee County Schools Wellness Policy 5.13
Please note:
This is not an inclusive list - other items and brands may meet guidelines
Food must be from a licensed food service establishment and have an ingredient label
Be sure to check nutritional labels to verify that the product meets guidelines
Cheese Sticks
Chex Mix Cheddar, Chocolate
Chips, Baked or Reduced Fat (0.8 oz. or 1 oz.):
Baked BBQ Lays, Baked Cheddar Lays, Baked
Sour Cream Lays, Baked Nacho Doritos, Baked
Tostitos Scoops, RF Sweet Chili Doritos, RF Cool
Ranch Doritos, RF Nacho Doritos, Baked SW
Ranch Lays, Baked Flamin Hot Cheetos, Baked
Cheetos, Fantastix Flamin Hot, Baked Lays
Original, Sunchips
Whole Grain Graham Crackers
NutriGrain Bars
1. All foods must meet at least one of the following:
Must be “whole grain-rich”
A. Include 50% or more whole grains by weight or
OR Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable
OR Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010
2. All foods plus any accompaniments (dressing, jelly, etc.) must also meet the following:
Nutrient Snack Item Entree Items*
Calories
Sodium
Fat **
Saturated Fat <10% of calories <10% of calories
Trans Fat 0 grams 0 grams
Sugar
USDA plans to serve more than 200
million free meals to children 18 and under
at approved SFSP sites.
Regina is at the heart of all of this, and
added: “My husband Todd and I moved
to Manatee County from New Jersey 23
years ago. This position came along at a
time in my career that change was good.
My sons, Kyle and Brett, were young. I
had just lost my father, and my mother was
living with us, so the thought of being home
and having less travel was very appealing.
“Kyle is now in college. Brett is still at
Braden River High School, and always
feedback is good!
do, much of it is spent volunteering at my
household, and both my sons are very
active in several sports. This year Brett
played baseball, basketball, and football
- so we do a lot of fundraising activities!”
“I also enjoy cooking at home. I really love
Italian and Chinese food, but my favorite
go-to food will always be pizza!”
food and nutrition needs every day at
school are in safe hands!
The full Nutrition & Wellness Policy 5.13
can be found on:
ManateeSchoolFood.net
Whole Grain Pretzel
Whole Grain Cupcakes or Brownies
Whole Grain Rice Krispie Treats
Smartfood Popcorn
Fresh Fruit or Vegetable Trays
Raisins or Craisins
100% Fruit Chews or Fruit Strips
8oz of Low Fat white or Fat Free Flavored Milk
8oz 100% Fruit Juice
Low Fat Ice Cream Bars or Ice Cream Cups
100% Juice Frozen Bars or Frozen Cups
Water
*Entrée items include a meat/meat alternate alone or in combination with a grain or fruit/vegetable.
**Foods exempt from the above requirements include: reduced fat cheese, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and seafood with no
added fat. Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are exempt from the above requirements. Canned fruits
in 100% juice or light syrup, and canned vegetables in water or a small amount of sugar, are also exempt.
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/ManateeSchoolFood.net