Half Hollow Hills Schools Celebrate National School Lunch Week

To acknowledge the National School Lunch Program and the 30 million children it serves every day, Half Hollow Hills Central School District will recognize National School Lunch Week from October 10-13, 2017. The theme, “Recipes for Success” is an opportunity to focus on the nutritious, well-balanced and healthy breakfast and lunch options available at our schools to help promote student wellness.

National School Lunch Week will emphasize the healthy foods that are offered daily at schools in Half Hollow Hills. They serve meals that exceed federal nutrition guidelines by being low in fat and sodium, yet high in fiber and essential vitamins. Long Island grown produce is used in season, and a daily selection of sandwiches made with Boars Head meats are available.

“School lunches are healthier than ever, with more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and less fat and sodium,” said Bonnie Scally, School Lunch Administrator at Half Hollow Hills. “National School Lunch Week helps us educate parents and students about all the benefits of our lunch program, and the appealing choices we offer.”

Throughout the year at Half Hollow Hills, food and beverages are offered that do not contain MSG, trans fats, nitrates, nitrites, artificial colors or flavor enhancers. There are no fryers in their kitchens; they only bake, sauté, steam or roast the food they prepare.

Scally added, “We also coordinate with our school PTA’s to offer an Eating The Rainbow program, where we serve fruits and vegetables in the colors of the rainbow to encourage our children to try different-colored whole foods, and help their bodies to get a complete range of nutrients.”

Some of the options most desired by students include a made-to-order burrito bar with all fresh ingredients, hot & spicy chicken sandwiches, and the made-to-order deli sandwich and salad bars.

The federally-funded National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides nutritionally balanced, healthy meals to students every day. The program, which has been serving the nation’s children for over 60 years, requires school meals to meet federal nutrition standards like offering fruits and vegetables every day, serving whole grain-rich foods, and limiting fat, calories, and sodium.

The “Recipes for Success” campaign is made possible by the nonprofit School Nutrition Association. Parents and students can follow the fun using the hashtag #NSLW17. For more information on National School Lunch Week, visit https://schoolnutrition.org/nslw/.

An education-oriented community with high academic expectations, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is located in a residential area of 50,000 people in the central part of Long Island, approximately 40 miles from New York City. Providing for the education of more than 8,000 students, the school district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Half Hollow Hills High Schools are fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The District is committed to providing students opportunities to excel in academics, athletics, and the arts.