Nutrition Policy

PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION
New Egypt, New Jersey 08533

File Code: 3542.1
LOCAL WELLNESS AND NUTRITION

The board believes that children need access to healthful foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow, learn, and thrive, and that good health fosters student attendance and education.

Obesity rates have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents over the last two decades, and physical inactivity and excessive calorie intake are the predominant causes of obesity. Heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are responsible for two-thirds of deaths in the United States, and major risk factors for those diseases, including unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity, and obesity, often are established in childhood. Further, the items most commonly sold from school vending machines, school stores, and snack bars include low-nutrition foods and beverages, such as soda, sports drinks, imitation fruit juices, chips, candy, cookies, and snack cakes.

To promote healthful behavior in the school, the board is committed to encouraging its students to consume fresh fruits, vegetables, low fat milk and whole grains. The board is also committed to encouraging students to select and consume all components of the school meal.

In order to promote and protect children’s health, well-being, and ability to learn, the board is committed to providing school environments that support healthy eating and physical activity and will ensure that:

    A. All students will have opportunities, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis.

    B. Foods and beverages sold or served at school will meet the nutrition recommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the USDA nutrition standards for National School Lunch, School Breakfast and/or After School Snack Programs. The district will regulate the types of food and beverage items offered outside the federal meal requirements, such as ala carte sales, vending machines, school stores, and fund raisers.

    C. All students will be provided with adequate time for student meal service and consumption in a clean, safe, and pleasant dining environment. Lunch and recess or physical education schedules will be coordinated with the meal service.

    D. To the maximum extent practicable, all schools in our district will participate in available federal school meal programs (including the School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program including- After-School Snack Programs, Summer Food Service Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program).

    E. Schools will provide nutrition education and physical education to foster lifelong habits of healthy eating and physical activity, and will establish linkages between health education and school meal programs, and with related community services.

    F. The board will engage students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, health professionals, and other interested community members in developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing district-wide nutrition and physical activity policies.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 7
First day of School, Early Dismissal

Wednesday, September 8
Early Dismissal

Tuesday, September 28
Middle School Back to School Night at 6:30 PM

SPARK News:
Please Join Our Kick-Off Meeting Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the IMC at NEMS
* Babysitting will be available