Mark your calendars – October 10-14 is National School Lunch Week! Nebo School District will be celebrating with the theme “School Lunch – Let’s Grow Healthy”. Nebo School District works hard to provide your children with balanced, nutritious meals that will supply them with the nutrients they need to be strong and healthy.
Nebo serves about 16,000 meals a day which meet the federal nutrition standards under the federally-funded National School Lunch Program. Your children can come in to eat balanced meals which:
- Are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – no more than 30% of calories come from fat, and less than 10% of the calories come from saturated fat.
- Include fruits and vegetables, grains, and protein as well as milk. Every day, a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is offered, coming from local sources where possible. All meals provide one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories.
- Are served in age-appropriate sizes so your children get the amount of food they need.
Nebo is constantly improving the quality of the meals served to your children. More whole grains have been added to the menu, and colorful salads are offered to students daily.
Your children can grow healthy by eating a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables, as different color groups provide different nutrients for the body to grow and be healthy. Encourage your children to wear these different colors each day during National School Lunch Week to celebrate the health benefits of fruits and vegetables:
- Monday – Wear red! Red fruits and vegetables contain lycopene and anthocyanin, which keep your heart healthy, improve your vision and immunity, and reduce your risk of cancer!
- Tuesday – Wear white, tan, or brown! White, tan, and brown fruits and vegetables will help your heart stay healthy and reduce risk of cancer!
- Wednesday – Wear blue or purple! Blue and purple fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which gives you anti-aging benefits, helps with your memory, fights inflammation, and reduces your risk of stroke, heart disease, and cancer!
- Thursday – Wear orange or yellow! Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C. They will promote healthy vision, help your immune system, and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
- Friday – Wear green! Green fruits and vegetables contain chlorophyll and can boost your immune system, prevent birth defects, reduce cancer risk, and keep your vision healthy!
Nebo School District encourages all students to enjoy breakfast and lunch at their school and be fueled by nutritious and delicious meals!