Nutrition Services program
A balanced hot or cold meal and á la carte selections are available for lunch. Meals may be purchased daily or paid for with a monthly meal ticket.
Our Nutrition Services Program includes a food service program that employs well-prepared staff who efficiently serve appealing choices of nutritious foods; a sequential program of nutrition instruction that is integrated within the comprehensive school health education curriculum and coordinated with the food service program; and a school environment that encourages students to make healthy food choices.
It is our intent that all students shall possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious and enjoyable food choices for a lifetime. In addition, staff and parents are encouraged to model healthy eating as a valuable part of daily life.
Brownell-Talbot School implements a comprehensive plan to encourage healthy eating that includes:
- a food service program that employs well-prepared staff who efficiently serve appealing choices of nutritious foods;
- pleasant eating areas for students and staff with adequate time for eating;
- a sequential program of nutrition instruction that is integrated within the comprehensive school curriculum and coordinated with the food service program; that is taught by well-prepared and well-supported staff; and that is aimed at influencing students' knowledge, attitudes, and eating habits;
- an overall school environment that encourages students to make healthy food choices;
- opportunities and encouragement for staff to model healthy eating habits;
- a system to ensure that students and staff with nutrition-related health problems are referred to appropriate services for counseling or medical treatment; and
- strategies to involve family members in program development and implementation.
The school nutrition program makes effective use of school and community resources and equitably serve the needs and interests of all students and staff, taking into consideration differences in cultural norms.
The link between nutrition and learning is well documented. Healthy eating patterns are essential for students to achieve their full academic potential, full physical and mental growth, and lifelong health and well-being. Healthy eating is demonstrably linked to reduced risk for mortality and development of many chronic diseases as adults. Brownell-Talbot has a responsibility to help students and staff establish and maintain lifelong, healthy eating patterns, as well-planned and well-implemented school nutrition programs have been shown to positively influence students' eating habits.
