Meal Pattern Requirements for National School Lunch and

Meal Pattern Requirements for National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

Lunch Meal Components • Students are offered daily the following food components: – Grains – Meat/Meat Alternate – Vegetables – Fruits – Milk

Lunch Meal Pattern Grades K – 5 Grades 6 -8 Grades 9 -12 Amount of food per week (Mininum per day) Fruits (cups) 2 ½ (1/2 cup daily) 5 (1 cup daily) Vegetables (cups) Dark Green Red/Orange Beans/Peas Starchy Other Additional Veg. 3 ¾ (3/4 cup daily) ½ cup ¾ cup ½ cup ½ cup 1 cup 5 (1 cup daily) ½ cup 1 ½ cup ¾ cup 1 ½ cup Grains 8 -9 (1 oz equiv. ) 8 -10 (1 oz equiv. ) 10 -12 (2 oz equiv. ) Meats/Meat Alt. 8 -10 (1 oz equiv. ) 9 -10 (1 oz equiv. ) 10 -12 (2 oz equiv. ) 5 (1 cup) Fluid Milk

Lunch Meal Pattern Other Specifications (weekly/daily average) Min-Max Calories Grades K-5 Grades 6 -8 Grades 9 -12 550 -650 600 -700 750 -850 Saturated Fat <10% of total Calories Sodium (mg) Less than or equal to 640 mg Less than or equal to 710 mg Less than or equal to 740 mg 0 grams Trans Fat

Breakfast Meal Components • Students are offered daily the following food components: – Fruits – Grains – Milk

Breakfast Meal Pattern Grades K – 5 Grades 6 -8 Grades 9 -12 Amount of food per week (Mininum per day) Fruits (cups) 5 (1 cup daily) Grains 7 -10 (1 oz equiv. ) 8 -10 (1 oz equiv. ) 9 -10 (2 oz equiv. ) Meats/Meat Alt. None required but can be offered if it meets the other specifications. 5 (1 cup) Fluid Milk

Breakfast Meal Pattern Other Specifications (weekly/daily average) Min-Max Calories Grades K-5 Grades 6 -8 Grades 9 -12 350 -500 400 -550 450 -600 Saturated Fat <10% of total Calories Sodium (mg) Less than or equal to 430 mg Less than or equal to 470 mg Less than or equal to 500 mg 0 grams Trans Fat

National School Lunch Program • What must be offered? – 5 components including meat/meat alternate, grains, fruits, vegetables, and milk. – Students have a choice in their meals. Under offer vs. serve, students must take at least 3 items at lunch on their tray. One item must be their minimum requirement of fruit or vegetable.

Lunch Example • Lunch offered: Turkey, mashed potatoes, peaches, roll and milk. v. Student A took turkey, roll and milk. This is not a complete meal. They must have a fruit or vegetable on the tray. v. Student B took turkey, roll, peaches, and milk. This is a complete meal. v. Student C took roll, mashed potatoes, and fruit. This is a complete meal. v. Student D took all of the lunch that was offered. This is a complete meal.

National School Breakfast Program • What must be offered? – 4 food items including grains, fruits, milk, and an additional item such as another grain or meat. – Students have a choice in their meals. Under offer vs. serve, students may decline 1 item at breakfast but they must take a ½ cup of fruit or vegetable, if offered.