LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Veronica Cantu,

Laredo, Texas-Proudly serving over 36,000 hot and healthy lunches each day, the United Independent School District will recognize “National School Lunch Week” through October 16. This special designation promotes the healthy foods offered daily at each school in the District. The designation also serves to proudly honor the District’s team of more than 500 child nutrition workers, consisting of cooks, drivers, food production specialists, workers, dietitians, accounting managers warehouse supervisors, and bookkeepers.

“Our school lunches are healthier than ever, with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and less fat and sodium,” said Raul Ramirez, Director of the United ISD Child Nutrition Program. “National School Lunch Week helps us educate students and parents about all the benefits of our lunch program, and the appealing meal choices offered at our schools.”

Districtwide, students can choose from two options for their main entrée.

“We are also happy to be offering our healthy breakfasts and lunches free of charge to all students, as our District meets the eligibility criteria to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision Program,” Ramirez added.

“School meals really are better than ever,” said Ramirez “…and these items have certainly changed from when we were young and still in school.”

According to the Child Nutrition Program, some of the most popular lunch menu items are buffalo boneless wings, which are made with whole grain breading, the ever-popular pepperoni pizza with a whole grain crust, the hamburger, served on a whole wheat bun, and the chicken burger with whole grain breading and bun.

In addition to serving up school lunches, the Child Nutrition Program serves over 25,000 breakfasts each morning, provides snacks to students in the afterschool program, and offers catering to schools and departments during staff development days.  The program even provides various educational programs to campuses, such as the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and handles many other responsibilities related to the health and nutrition of students.

“Our Dietitians also go to District campuses to talk to students, parents, faculty and staff on a one-to-one basis about the food that is being served to them, and they help educate kids about healthy choices and the importance of physical activity,” said Aryana M. Valdez, United ISD Child Nutrition Program Operations Manager.

So next time you see a United ISD Child Nutrition Program employee, remember that they too are working towards the best interest of our students.