Barrow County Schools Celebrate National School Lunch Week

WINDER, GA – Packing or buying school lunch is a daily debate for many families. Barrow County Schools is hoping to educate parents about healthy school choices and encourage them to take advantage of convenient and well-balanced school lunches as part of National School Lunch Week celebrations, October 15-19, 2018.

The National School Lunch Week (NSLW) theme, "School Lunch - Lots 2 Love," reminds school communities and parents about the many nutritious choices and continued improvements to school lunch menus. Barrow County Schools’ commitment to their school nutrition program is evident in their latest recognition, the Platinum Award Golden Radish that they will formally receive on October 22.

During NSLW, cafeteria staff at Barrow Schools will visit classrooms to give students short nutrition education classes, teaching them about how to make healthy decisions in school and out. Serving lines will be decorates with nutrition “bites” fun facts for students to enjoy. Barrow County features food on their menus that are grown on schools grounds, like radishes and broccoli. Barrow County Schools has a robust Harvest of the Month program, in which a different fresh produce is featured daily in various ways on the lunch menu that month. A diverse lunch menu, students at Barrow County Schools have unique options to choose from - like poppy seed chicken, fish basket, Asian chicken, chicken fajita burrito bowl, baked potato bar and chicken Po’boy sandwich.

“School lunches are healthier than ever, with more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and less fat and sodium,” explains Barrow County Director of School Nutrition Pamela LeFrois. “National School Lunch Week helps us educate parents and students about all the benefits of our lunch program, and the appealing choices we offer.”

Students will be encouraged to show their love for school lunch from October 15-19 with specially planned menus, decorations, cafeteria events and more. There will be surprise drawings and trivia games for students who participate in school lunch.

“It is so important that we celebrate the fantastic initiatives that are making our school lunches healthier, more accessible and more appealing to students across the state,” said Georgia School Nutrition Association President Nicole James. “National School Lunch Week helps us educate parents and students about all the healthy and appealing choices Georgia schools offer in our cafeterias to support students with a well-balanced school lunch.”

President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962. During this annual weeklong celebration, SNA members and students around the country celebrate what makes their local school lunch program special. Parents and students can follow the fun on Facebook.com/TrayTalk or TrayTalk.org

For more information about schools meals, visit Georgia School Nutrition Association or National School Lunch Week 2018.

About the Georgia School Nutrition Association

The Georgia School Nutrition Association (GSNA) is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 6,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the state. Founded in 1951, GSNA is devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well-being through school meals and sound nutrition education.