A new school year brings new changes for students all over northcentral Wisconsin, but the most noticeable change this year will be found in the cafeteria.
Through the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act” championed by the First Lady, the USDA is making the first major changes in school meals in 15 years.
The new federal guidelines dictate more fruits and vegetables, smaller portions of meat and protein and fewer calories.
According to the USDA's website, a sample lunch would have previously included: 3.8 ounce of pizza sticks served with ¼ cup of marina sauce, a banana, and ounce of raisins, and 8 ounces of whole milk. Now, students will be served new options that could include a whole wheat cheese pizza, ½ of sweet potato fries, ¼ raw grape tomatoes, ½ cup applesauce, 1 ounce of low-fat ranch dressing, and 8 ounces of 1% milk.
Click here to view more information on the new guidelines from the USDA's website.
