CAFETERIA

Did you know that the meal assistance is not just about lunch?

If your family meets the income qualifications for free or reduced lunch, and even if your child brings his or her lunch to school, there are several benefits that may be available for your family: 

• Textbook Assistance: For financial assistance with textbook fees, check the box on the back of the free/reduced lunch application
• Elementary Backsacks Program: For weekend food, see school counselor
• High School - ACT/SAT Testing Fees: See school counselor
• High School - Dual Credit/AP Courses: See school counselor
• Discounted Internet service :$9.95 per month through Comcast — Internet Essentials — 1-855-846-8376
• Discounted Computer: $149.99 through Comcast — Internet Essentials — 1-888-710-4156
• Discounts for Sports Program Fees: See school Athletic Director
• iCare afterschool program: limited scholarships available

If you meet the free lunch qualifications your family may also qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

Maybe you already know that the lunch served at school must meet dietary guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But what rules apply to foods your child might buy in an a la carte line, at concession stands, or the candy or can of soda your child may get for a prize for a perfect spelling test? Your school wellness policy can give parents answers to these and other important wellness issues.

The revised BCSC Wellness Policy contains five categories:

1. Nutrition Education and Wellness Promotion
2. USDA Child Nutrition Programs & School Meals
3. Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods and Beverages
4. Physical activity and Physical Education

Evaluation of the Policy

Nutrition Education and Wellness Promotion-This section addresses nutrition education activities with the goal of helping children acquire lifelong skills for making nutritious food choices for a lifetime. Some of the key areas of this area of the policy include encouraging teachers and staff to serve as role models; display healthy choices prominently in the cafeteria and on menus, and wellness councils/PBIS to be developed at each school.

USDA Child Nutrition Programs & School Meals-This section addresses the federal breakfast and lunch program. Key areas of this portion of the policy include the school environment in the cafeteria, encourages recess before lunch, proper hand washing/sanitation stations available, student input on foods served, baking and steaming foods prepared. MyLunchMoney.com is a way for parents to register online to monitor your child’s spending habits in the cafeteria line, view account balances, receive low balance notices and view meal purchases all for FREE! A user charge is only applied for those parents who choose to use their credit or debit cards to make lunch account pre-payments.

Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods and Beverages-This section addresses all foods in competition with the federal lunch program. Examples might include vending, a la carte, classroom parties, fund raising. 50% of items serve should meet Better choice Food Criteria for 35% or less total calories from fat; no more than 10gm saturated fat not more than 35% total wt from sugar and individual items will not have more than 300 calories per serving. Fundraising will strive to support healthy eating and wellness. Classroom celebrations should focus on activities rather than food. Not offering sugar sweetened beverages or candy as a classroom reward.

Physical activity and Physical Education-The following are key considerations from this section of the policy: Joint use agreement means that community is allowed to use the school facilities when they are not being used for school activities, Safe routes to school promotes waling and biking to school for physical activity, standards are outlined for physical activity and Physical Education.

Evaluation-This section addresses implementation of the policy and plans for revision.

BCSC revised the original wellness policy developed in 2006 after having the policy scored by public health professionals using The School Wellness Policy Evaluation Tool. This tool offers a consistent and reliable means of assessing the comprehensiveness and strength of school wellness policies. Our newly adopted policy scored 174, the highest in Indiana! But it is not about having a policy in place, it is about putting it into practice and that takes a team effort from staff, students, parents and the community.

Developing a sound local wellness policy allows BCSC to get ahead of the curve and take a proactive approach to promoting good health to children. Parents can support the efforts of the policy by encouraging healthy eating and daily physical activity and serving as role models for their children to teach and encourage healthy habits for life.

VEGETARIAN OPTIONS

People choose vegetarian diets for a variety of reasons. Some reasons might include personal preference, health, ethnicity, religion, animal rights, environmental, etc. No matter the reason, BCSC Food Service has a variety of vegetarian entrée options to choose from, in addition to the wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and salads served daily.

Your student may request one of the entrée options below by 9am to their school cafeteria for lunch service that day.

Veggie Burger on Bun                                     Soft Pretzel & Cheese Sauce

Cheese Pizza                                                 Cheese Omelet

Specialty Salad w/sunflowers/cheese               Breakfast Wrap

Cheese Quesadilla                                          Breakfast Tac-Go

Toasted Cheese Sandwich                               Cold Cheese Sandwich

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich                    Noodles/Marinara/2 oz Cheese

Soy Butter and Jelly Sandwich                        Graham Snacker & String cheese

Breadsticks & Cheese Sauce                           Yogurt, Muffin & 2 oz String Cheese

Breaded Mozzarella Sticks w/pizza sauce         Cheese/Egg Pita Pocket (coming soon)

Mini Cheese Bagels                                        Baked Potato, Cheese Sauce & roll

Cheese Ravioli & Breadstick

BCSC Food Service….What are YOU having for lunch today?

BCSC Cafeterias all participate in the Farm to School movement. Farm to School is an important tool in the fight against childhood obesity, food insecurity, and helps to improve the nutrition of our students by providing fresh, healthy, local foods. This process also helps to decrease our carbon foot print, and supports our local farming community and our local economy. A win-win scenario!

Our cafeterias will be featuring locally grown produce on the menu when available. Please view our menus to see what fruit and/or vegetable is featured this month. We also celebrate National Farm to School Month during the month of October. Please check this webpage or with your child’s school to see what promotions will be happening to recognize the important role farm to school plays in promoting well-being  among children and strong local economies. Some promotions we have had recently include participating in National Food Day and featured locally grown kale in recipes chosen by the students; Meet your Farmer Day with a special visit by local farmer; taste testings and nutrition education programs in the classroom, etc.

Examples of locally grown produce provided by BCSC schools includes tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, & kale.

BCSC Kids +Locally Grown Food = A Healthy School on the right Track!

Farm to School…What are YOU having for lunch today?

A Parents Guide to Understanding the Lunch Line