By Anna King, Reporter
Low-calorie lunches. Leaner Knights. These are the motives behind the new, healthier lunch choices and more limited cafeteria menu, which are tied to the Federal Health and Wellness Plan.
“It’s a district change, but there’s a federal health and wellness policy that gives guidelines [to the district],” Sarah Mumm, curriculum director, said.
This plan gives school districts certain requirements they have to meet each week.
“You have to have an average total of 785 calories [per hot lunch] for the week. You add up the calories for all five days and then divide by five for the average. So some days may be a little higher and some days a little lower. It holds true for the other nutrients as well,” middle school cafeteria worker Gigi Statler said.
The federal plan also requires school lunches to meet certain nutritional guidelines, and the meals must include certain vitamins and other nutrients each week. The district is also trying to incorporate more whole grains, which are appearing in a variety of foods, including the new whole-wheat cookies. Some students are unhappy.
“I hate it. Their choices are bad. There are smaller portions and [the food is] not as good,” sophomore Nicci DiBella said.
Some students said they were not interested in buying lunch at school anymore.
“I won’t spend my money on it, but if someone wants to pay for my food, I’ll take it,” senior Bobby Bergstrom said.
The district office is pleased with the changes that are happening. Mumm, who is in charge of the district’s Wellness Committee, has spent time researching the providing of healthier choices.
“There’s more options and they are healthier. Based on the research I have done, the healthier you eat, the better your brain functions,” Mumm said.
These changes are permanent.
“Hopefully, long-term [there will be] more and more changes and progress,” Mumm said. “We are moving in the right direction. Students and staff need to look at the healthier choices.”
“It’s a step forward to making Kaneland youth healthier,” Statler said.