Food Services
We are proud of the fact that we are an independently run food services operation. Our outstanding lunch program is run by employees of the district, not a contracted catering company. Most of the food service staff have been with the district for years and are community members. All of the staff members are dedicated to making sure your child has a nutritious and pleasant lunch experience. Most of the “lunch ladies” know individual students by name and they all genuinely care about the children of this district.
The District 71 Food Service Program is part of the federal government’s National School Lunch Program. By following the guidelines of this program, we are able to provide meals to all children, including providing assistance to low-income families through the free/reduced breakfast/lunch program. This helps promote the philosophy of "no child left behind." We strive to treat all children equally by providing nutritious meals to all students. We must follow NSLP regulations in all aspects of our operation, including following the USDA dietary guidelines for Americans. The guidelines our program must follow for lunch are as follows:
- Milk: 8 fl. oz. (1 cup)
- Lean meat or meat alternative (quantity of edible portion served): 2 oz.
- Vegetable or fruit: 3/4 cup daily plus ½ extra cup per week
- Grains/breads (enriched or whole-grain): 12 per week – minimum 1 per day
We strive to make the meals nutritious and tasty for our students. Our main entrée items are very low in fat or are reduced-fat products. All of our beef-based items are reduced-fat products ranging from 1.5–2.5 grams of saturated fat per serving.
In addition to the main entrée choice, at least three other meal options are available. A fruit and vegetable bar is offered daily to all students who purchase one of these choices. This provides students with a variety of healthy choices to add to the main menu choice.
To round out the meal we offer 2% white milk or 1% chocolate milk. We serve whole-grain bread products and offer only baked or reduced-fat chips.
The district does not withhold a student’s grades, transcripts, or diploma because of an unpaid balance on the student’s school account.
Additional Food Service Policy Information:
Summer Feeding
Information about summer meals
Lunch balance policy
Mrs. Karen Kempf
Director of Food Services
kkempf@niles71.org
847-966-9280 x1160