Food Services

The Child Nutrition Programs employ more than 400 professionals that include field managers, cafeteria managers and assistant managers, technicians, warehouse foreman, and maintenance.

We provide approximately 23,000 lunches and 10,000 breakfasts daily at all 55 schools. Additionally, we implement the after-school snack program and summer feeding program at several schools.

St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Child Nutrition Programs' mission is to provide good nutrition that fuels successful learning.

We provide a variety of healthy food choices, meeting USDA standards. In addition, we educate our students regarding proper nutrition necessary for a healthy lifestyle and wellness. 

Nutritional Links for Parents & Teachers

Louisiana 2 Step
tips and ideas to eat right and move more

KidsHealth for Parents
lots of information about your child's health

The Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
nutrition info from food experts - registered dietitians

Nutritional Links for Students

KidsHealth
information, recipes, quizzes, and games all about nutrition and health

BAM! Body and Mind
learn about nutrition, diseases, exercise, and safety

Fuel Up to Play 60!
play games or keep track of your food intake and physical activity

Health and Wellness Tips for Successful College Years
getting prepared for a healthy future!

St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Child Nutrition Programs offer healthy meal choices for our students. Our menus offer a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, healthy entrees, and milk. Our schools serve school-made bread, and we make most of our entrees from scratch. School lunch, breakfast, and snacks are consistent with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

Our Child Nutrition Programs engage students across all grade levels. Students assist us with taste-tasting new items. The ProStart classes participate in our Cook-Off where they create their own school lunch menu and promote to the students.

Get your child's day started with a healthy breakfast. In addition to the posted menu, all schools offer dry cereal, fruit, juice, and milk daily. Eating breakfast before starting the school day is linked to improved concentration, better test scores, increased energy, improved behavior, and a healthier body weight.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture 
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW 
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 
2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or 
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Wellness Guidance

Purpose

This Wellness Policy establishes a formal system of building a school environment that is safe and healthy, thereby enhancing the potential for academic achievement among students.  Students need access to healthful foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow and learn.  

The St. Tammany Parish School Board is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children's health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity habits.  The School Food Service Director will serve as the coordinator of the Wellness Policy. 

Members of the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), formerly known as the Wellness Policy Committee will include students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, health professionals, and other interested community members in developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing district-wide nutrition and physical activity policies.

Nutrition Services

Qualified Child Nutrition Program professionals will provide students with access to a variety of affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students; will accommodate the special dietary needs and cultural diversity of the student body in meal planning; and will provide clean, safe, and pleasant settings and adequate time for students to eat.

School Meals

St. Tammany Parish Public Schools will:

1. Offer menus that meet the meal patterns and nutrition standards established by the USDA Child Nutrition Program and the Louisiana Department of Education.
2. Encourage students, school staff, and families to participate in school meal programs.
3. Ensure that food safety and sanitation are followed throughout the school, including providing facilities to wash hands before meal service.
4. Ensure that school meals are accessible to all students with a variety of delivery strategies such as grab-and-go meals or alternate eating sites.
5. Ensure that students receive adequate time to eat breakfast and lunch.
6. Provide a cafeteria environment that is conducive to a positive dining experience, with socializing among students and between students and adults and with supervision of eating areas by adults who model proper conduct and voice level.

Foods and Beverages Offered Outside of the Child Nutrition Programs

Foods and beverages sold to students must meet specific nutritional criteria if sold on the grounds at any time during a period beginning one-half hour before the start of the school day and ending one-half hour after the end of the school day. (Refer to Smart Snacks in Schools).

 Schools should discourage the use of foods and beverages as rewards for student accomplishment. Schools are encouraged to provide healthful food and beverage choices at school parties. Schools should promote fundraisers that sell items other than food and beverages or only foods and beverages that are nutrient dense (low in calories and high in nutrients.

It is recommended that schools have suggested guidelines in the student handbook regarding all outside foods brought into the school cafeteria. 

Nutrition Education

School-based nutrition education includes traditional classroom lessons.  It is taught in health education and science classes and can be integrated into core content area of instruction across the curriculum. A planned, sequential curriculum where the lessons are aligned with standards, benchmarks, and grade-level expectations is essential to impact knowledge, attitude, and behavior.  The cafeteria can be used as part of the total educational system for modeling behavior.

Schools will:

1. Implement nutrition education programs that promote lifelong healthful eating practices that are research-based.
2. Use lessons that are age-appropriate, behaviorally focused content that is developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant.
3. Use curriculum and lessons that are sequential and are correlated with standards, benchmarks, and grade level expectations.
4. Provide hands-on activities that are fun and engaging.
5. Promote positive aspects of healthful eating behaviors.
6. Cafeteria will serve as learning laboratories by providing nutrition information.

Physical Education and Activity

Schools will:

1. Implement quality physical education programs that emphasize and promote participation in lifelong physical activities and reaching a health enhancing level of physical fitness among all students.
2. The physical education lessons should be aligned with standards, benchmarks, and grade-level expectations.
3. Provide all students physical education and physical activity that meet or exceed the minimum standards established by the Louisiana Department of Education.
4. Ensure enough age-appropriate and safe equipment is in place to guarantee that all students are able to be active for physical education and physical activity.
5. Ensure qualified, certified physical education teachers guide physical activity instruction in all elementary grades as well as in middle and high school physical education classes.
6. Provide staff development on standards implementation for physical education instructors.
7. Provide daily recess for all children in K-8^th grade.
8. Encourage physical activity during recess for elementary students, intramurals programs, and clubs, as well as in physical education programs.

Communication

At the beginning of each school year, no later than the end of the first quarter, the SHAC will share a summary of the Wellness Policy with school staff and faculty, students, and parents via the school food services web page.  Updates to the Policy may be highlighted and discussed. 

Schools are encouraged to provide a link to the Wellness Policy on their web page.

Monitoring and Evaluation

 The School Health Advisory Committee will evaluate the policy annually and revise as necessary.

Attachment A 

WELLNESS POLICY ACTION PLAN

St. Tammany Parish

 

Objectives	Meets Requirements	Comments
SHAC has been established	Yes
SHAC provides information to: school administrators teachers cafeteria managers parents students	Yes
SHAC recommends revisions to Wellness policy as needed	Yes
School Meals are accessible to all students	Yes
Students eat in a pleasant atmosphere	Yes
Handwashing before eating is available & encouraged	Yes
Smart Snack Guidelines are followed	Yes
Students receive nutrition information in classroom or cafeteria	Yes
Hire certified Physical Education teachers (K – 12)	Yes
Follow LDOE guidelines for Physical Education instruction	Yes

 

 

Snack and Party Ideas

Attachment B

Snacks are important to provide nutrients for growing children.

1. Include a wide variety of foods that are rich in nutrients.
2. Have healthful snacks available and easily accessible.  Cut up fruits and vegetables for easy eating, especially children with loose teeth or braces.
3. Try low-fat versions of milk, ice cream, crackers, and chips.
4. Avoid using food as a reward or punishment. 
5. Be a good role model by eating healthful snacks with your children/students.
6. Choose fruits and vegetables as snacks so children/students can meet the goal of eating at least three or more servings of vegetables and two or more servings of fruits a day.
7. Involve children/students in planning and shopping for foods and beverages for snacks and parties.
8. Involve students in planning a party that provides healthy food choices and activities that do not focus the party on food.
9. Offer food again, even if children/students did not like it the first time, especially fruits and vegetables.  Students need repeated exposure to new foods.
10. For more information, call the free American Dietetic Association Hotline at: (800) 366-1655 or visit the website at http://www.eatright.com.

Alternatives to Using Food as a Reward

Using food as a reward undermines nutrition education, encourages overconsumption of extra calories, especially foods high in fat and added sugar, and teaches children to eat when they are not hungry.  Some alternatives for rewarding children include:

• Sit by friends
• Give a set of flashcards or books Reading time
• Extra time for art or music Hold class outside
• Listen to music while working Play a favorite game or puzzle Dance to favorite music
• Keep a treasure box filled with non-food items Go for walks
• Give stickers, pencils, and other school supplies Offer dress down day
• Offer free time at the end of the week Eat lunch with the principal or teacher

For more ideas, visit the following web sites:

• Michigan Department of Education Team Nutrition
• USDA Team Nutrition Create Healthy, Active Celebrations

Creative Fundraising Ideas

Attachment C

Healthy fundraising ideas promote consistent messages of practicing healthy eating and physical activity habits in the classroom, throughout the school, and at home. Listed below are some ideas for raising funds without selling food.

1. Sports tournament – Sell tickets to students and family members to attend a student volleyball, tennis, or golf tournament. Include some local celebrities to increase sales throughout the community.
2. Pledge ideas -- Walk-a-thon and fun runs – Hold a walk and or run on the school grounds. Ask for pledges to sponsor.
3. Spring yard work to local community members – Offer to rake yards and spread compost at a bargain rate.
4. Basketball tournament – Charge a team of three players $40 for entrance and ask local businesses for prize donations. Provide tee shirts for the event and raise the entrance fee.
5. Plant sale – Sell perennials, herbs, or seeds; poinsettias during the holidays, and flowers for Valentine’s Day.
6. Community job fair – Rent booths for a fee to local companies and solicit free advertisements for local radio stations or newspapers. Charge an entrance fee.
7. Crafts fair – Local and regional crafts persons can rent booths for a fee. The school can charge a small entrance fee to the public.
8. School event planners – Sell planners at school registration. Planners include all event dates, such as sports events, national tests, dances, plays, etc. Fifty percent of the sales can be profits.
9. Sell seat cushions at sporting events – Sell advertisements on the cushions to 20 local businesses for $50 – 100 to make even more money.
10. Administrative fun - Have money jars available for the students to make donations. The school secretary would count the money in the jars on a daily basis and post the total. At set dollar increments, the principal and/or vice-principal would have to do stunts, such as dress as a cheerleader, do cheers, etc.
11. Raffle of gift baskets assembled by students - Choose a theme such as gardening, sports, or arts and crafts. Most items for the baskets can be donated.
12. Sell candles, greeting cards, gift wrap, magazines, buttons, pins, pens, crafts, batteries,  Frisbees, pet treats, and calendars.
13. Rent a special parking place.
14. Involve the community – Conduct workshops or classes, a scavenger hunt, a recycling program, a car wash for donations, a garage sale
15. Sell school spirit supplies –   megaphones, shakers, plastic cups, T-shirts, school supplies, bumper stickers, cookbooks or books developed by the school
16. Host art, music, and science events such as a read-a-thon, spelling bee, science fair, talent show, art show, plays, and concerts

Adapted from Twenty Ways to Raise Funds without Candy, Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program, Illinois Department of Education, Creative Financing and Fun Fundraising for Schools, Sports, and Clubs, California Project LEAN, and WIN Wyoming, Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service

Attachment D 

Members of the School Health Advisory Committee

Jennifer Montz, Supervisor of School Food Services and Parent, Chair

Kay Hursey, Itinerant Programs Coordinator

Jackie Jenkins, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction

Stacey Russell, Pro-Start Instructor of FHS and Parent

Neely Estrade, Safety Coordinator

Rebecca Birkett, Principal Lyon Elementary

Stacey Alexius, Career and Technical Education Coordinator

Jodie Kain, Cafeteria Manager and Parent

Each school develops a custom menu each month. Please refer to the school website or contact the school cafeteria for menus.

School meals are planned by our certified field managers with input from our director who is a registered dietitian. Students are offered a choice of nutritionally balanced lunches and breakfasts that meet or exceed the USDA standards and reflect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Student preferences are determined through surveys and taste parties. The feedback received plays a major role in our menu offerings. Low cost, nutritious school meals are served to more than 23,000 customers every day.

If a child has been determined by a doctor to be disabled and the disability prevents the child from eating the regular school meals, schools will make any substitutions.  If a substitution is prescribed, there will be no extra charge for the meal. If your child needs substitutions because of a disability, please have a physician or recognized medical authority complete the “Prescription for School Meal Modification” form.  Dietary requests will be valid only for the school year in which they are written and will expire at the end of each school year. A signature from a physician or other recognized medical authority is required.

Special Diets Required Form

Meal Account Refund Form

Meal Account Transfer Form