Between preparing healthy food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering the best service possible, Mission CISD (Consolidated Independent School District) nutrition professionals have a lot on their plate. To celebrate their hard work and commitment, the School Nutrition Association (SNA) organizes School Nutrition Employee Week, May 5-9, 2014. To kick off the celebration, SNA has partnered with Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series and Random House Children’s Books, to create School Lunch Superhero Day, May 2. The day and the week are an opportunity for parents, students, school staff and communities to thank those who provide healthy meals to 32 million of America’ students each school day.
In Mission CISD, school nutrition professionals will be honored with thanks, cards, and recognition for contributing to the educational process. They are aware that hungry children cannot learn.
School nutrition employees must balance many roles and follow numerous federal, state and local regulations to ensure safe and healthy meals are available in schools. In fact, federal nutrition standards ensure that every school lunch offers students a well-balanced meal, offering low-fat or fat-free milk, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. School meals also must meet limits on calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats.
For many children, school lunch is the most important and nutrient-rich meal of their day. Mission CISD serves breakfast to about 13,000 students and serves lunch to about 14,000 students each day. In a month, Mission CISD serves 266,000 breakfasts and almost 299,000 lunches.
For more information about School Lunch Superhero Day, go to www.schoollunchsuperheroday.com. To learn more about the school nutrition program for Mission CISD, visit www.mcisd.net. The Child Nutrition Program can be found in the district department list located in the About Us dropdown menu.
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