Nutrition Standards & Guidelines for School Lunches

The Belmont Public Schools are committed to providing school environments that promote children’s health, well being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity.

It is the policy of the Belmont Public Schools that:

• Schools will provide nutrition education and physical education designed to promote student wellness.
• All students in grades K-12 will have opportunities and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis.
• Foods and beverages sold or served at school will meet the nutrition recommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Child Nutrition Programs will comply with federal, state, and local requirements and will be accessible to all children. To the maximum extent practicable, all schools will participate in available federal school meal programs.
• Regular monitoring will ensure that the district is in compliance with the federal mandates at both the system and school level.
• Maintain an up to date Wellness Policy

Nutritional Guidelines and Standards for Schools

1. School Meals
   The School Food Service Program will continue to follow the USDA requirements for the Federal School Meals Program and the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children of 1996 (Dietary Guidelines for Americans) as well as implementing the guidelines of the Child and Nutrition WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004.
2. Qualifications of School Food Service Staff
   A qualified nutrition professional will direct the school meal programs. As part of the school district’s responsibility to operate a food service program, Belmont will assure all food service staff is trained according to their levels of responsibility.
3. Foods in Schools
   Foods will not be used to celebrate birthdays, holidays or special events in any school. Foods (this includes candy) will not be allowed in classrooms; all food will be consumed in the cafeteria or designated dining area per administration at each school.

This policy does not affect daily snack K – 4 brought in from home.

Schools will not use foods or beverages as direct rewards for academic performance or good behavior, and will not withhold food or beverages as a punishment.

Any food experience, considered to be an integral component of the curriculum, must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate curriculum director or building principals at the elementary level and allowed only when it has been determined that other instructional tools and accommodations cannot be substituted.