Healthier Food Options, Less Snacks: Lunch Program Discussed At Bernards Township Schools

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Revising Bernards Township's school lunch program to offer healthier food options, less snacks was discussed recently by the Board of Education(BOE).

Board member Csilla Csipak suggested the school board look into a "healthy body, healthy soul" objective or revise the lunch program at the schools during the Oct. 14 BOE meeting.

"Sodas, processed food, anything with artificial coloring and additives to be eliminated from our school lunches being offered. I think revisiting this thing would be very helpful," said Csipak.

Superintendent Nick Markarian asked if there was "enough appetite" by Board members to explore this.

"We heard from the PTO[Parent Teacher Organization] parents today that they want us to explore exactly what Csilla said," said Board President Timothy Salmon. "Alternative meal options, limiting snacks, things like that. I think that is something we will definitely do. Whether we make a change, we will need to do more homework on potentially putting it into a board goal or put it into action as we move forward throughout the year."

Board member Robin McKeon noted that the Board previously worked with Aramark during COVID to offer alternative options.

"I remember kids complaining they wanted more vegetarian options and different types of food and we had done a lot of work on it then," said McKeon.

McKeon asked for the Finance Committee to provide more information about the lunch program.

"I would like to get a status on who’s buying? How much are they buying? The elementary lunch - How's that working with signage? And then go from there to see what options there may or may not be," said McKeon. "There’s a lot of factors with the national school lunch program and the Aramark contract. It's not as simple as just saying we want a whole different program."

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