National School Lunch Weeks Reminds Minnesota Families

RED LAKE, MN – Packing or buying school lunch is a daily debate for many families. Red Lake School District is hoping to educate parents about healthy school choices and encourage them to take advantage of convenient and well-balanced school lunches as part of National School Lunch Week celebrations, October 15-19, 2018.

The National School Lunch Week (NSLW) theme, "School Lunch - Lots 2 Love," reminds school communities and parents about the many nutritious choices and continued improvements to school lunch menus. The Red Lake School District understands that making a meal appealing to students is just as important as having it follow USDA nutrition guidelines. The school nutrition staff uses creative ways of incorporating the fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grain servings required for every meal. Menu offerings include Philly cheese steak subs, BBQ pulled pork sandwich, bean burrito, calzones, etc. - all served on whole grain buns. Offering vegetarian and healthy alternatives, Red Lake students enjoy menu options like black bean chili, wild rice hot dish with sweet potatoes, grilled chicken breast, beef stew, cream of chicken and wild rice soup or quesadillas with refried beans.

"Our district menus feature creative options, balanced with fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk, whole-grain rich options and lean proteins," said Red Lake Schools Food Service Coordinator Jo Lange, who also serves as Minnesota School Nutrition Association vice president. "Students' nutritional needs are our priority, but we must also remember that students eat with their eyes so our meals must be appealing to a wide range of tastes."

Students will be encouraged to show their love for school lunch from October 15-19 with specially planned menus, decorations, cafeteria events and more. Also during October, schools across Minnesota celebrate National Farm to School Month and the "Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch," which helps support Minnesota agriculture, farmers and farmworkers.

"It is so important that we celebrate the fantastic initiatives making our school lunches healthier, more accessible and more appealing to students across the state," said Amy Thering, MSNA president. "National School Lunch Week helps us educate parents and students about healthy, appealing choices Minnesota schools offer to support students with a well-balanced school lunch."

President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962. During this annual weeklong celebration, SNA members and students around the country celebrate what makes their local school lunch program special. Parents and students can follow the fun on Facebook.com/TrayTalk or TrayTalk.org.

For more information about schools meals, visit Minnesota School Nutrition Association or National School Lunch Week 2018. Parents can connect with MSNA on facebook.com/@mnsna and view updates from Minnesota districts.

About the Minnesota School Nutrition Association

The Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) was founded in 1956 as a state-wide association with local chapters across the state and is a non-profit association of over 3,000 members who are committed to advancing school meal programs through education and advocacy.