ISD 166 adds healthier options to A la Carte

The ISD 166 School Health Council and the State Health Improvement Program (SHIP) is working on a “nutrition makeover” for the school.

Cook County Schools ISD 166 cafeteria is busy. Nearly 400 children ages 5 to 18 can stream through the “lunch line” for a nutritious meal each school day. Students in middle school (grades 6-8) and high school have the additional option of purchasing food from the “A la carte” line. Just like in a café or restaurant, students can pick and choose food items which they purchase from their lunch account funds.

ISD School Nurse and Cook County State Health Improvement Project (SHIP) Coordinator Kristin DeArruda Wharton said, “As you might imagine, this is a popular option for students who are just as busy and on the go’ as the rest of our society. TheA la Carte line sales are also vital to balancing the overall food service budget.”

Beginning on April 19, students and staff at Cook County Schools will have some new options to choose from on the A la Carte line. DeArruda Wharton said, “In addition to nutritious and fresh new offerings in the lunch meal menu like delicious made-from-scratch soups and crunchy vegetable sticks, the A la Carte line will be undergoing a ‘nutrition make-over’ this spring. Students, staff and parents can plan on seeing a few new tasty, nutritious offerings to the A la Carte line each. Items like cheese sticks, 100% fruit leathers, yogurt and fruit smoothies are some of the first products that will be available.”

This “nutrition makeover” to ISD 166 school foods is part of the ongoing efforts of the School Health Council, a group of about 15 parents, school staff, health professionals and interested community members. The School Health Council was initiated in 2006 when the MN Department of Education mandated that all schools participating in the School Meals Program (Free and Reduced Lunch) create a Wellness Policy. For the past two years, the School Health Council has been meeting regularly and has addressed issues like indoor recess, Safe Routes to School, Elementary Snacks and other school wellness issues.

For the school years of 2009-10 and 2010- 11, the Health Council has partnered with the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) to tackle school food improvements.