MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF) -
Changes are coming to the school lunch line, and the days of having just a piece of pizza, a roll and a cookie on your plate are over.
Students will now have to follow some new guidelines that officials are hoping will encourage healthier eating habits. Schools have to follow these rules to get the federal reimbursement for the meals they serve.
The first big change is the milk. Some school districts, like Madison County Schools, have already implemented this change. Schools can now only have non-fat or low fat milk, and all flavored milk has to be non-fat.
Students will also see more whole grains on their plates. Madison County Schools officials said they are still going to serve pizza, but it will have a whole grain crust.
They are also incorporating more fruits vegetables.
"When the children come through the line, they must choose three of the five items that we offer. We offer a bread, a meat, a milk, a fruit, and a vegetable," said Janice Owen, Child Nutrition Program Supervisor for Madison County Schools. "They must, this year, take either a fruit or a vegetable."
More changes are coming in the future as well, like lower sodium requirements and using only whole grains by 2014. Owen said the meals are getting more expensive, but the district has already worked that into the budgets. Prices will be higher for students this year based on an equity requirement.
Copyright 2012 WAFF. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WAFF, a Raycom Media Station. 