WEST JORDAN, Utah -
It's National School Lunch week, and the Jordan School District is making new changes to its menu. They're focusing on healthier choices. Fox 13 went to Columbia Elementary to find out what the kids think of the new food items. Brianna Holloway, an Elementary school student says, "I like healthy food because it makes you energy." Kids are starting to recognize the benefits of eating healthy, but officials admit we still have a long way to go. With childhood obesity rates climbing, schools are shifting their focus.
"This is a big year for changes. We're following the dietary guidelines. We've added lots and lots of whole grains. We have whole wheat buns here, we've lowered the fat," says Katie Bastian, who is a registered dietician for Jordan School District.
The Jordan School District is kicking off National School Lunch week with new food items. 5th grader Levi Day says he enjoys school lunch depending on the day, but often times the menu offers things like, "Corn dogs, hot dogs, egg rolls; different kinds of fries." Kids are still enjoying their favorites. "We get to eat lasagna, pizza spaghetti," saysBrianna Holloway. And after a tour of the lunch cafeteria, some of the items (cake, french fries) didn't "look" healthy, but the district says the ingredients have changed. Columbia Elementary is adding whole wheat flour to its cake, and baking its fries. Vegetables and fruits are also on the menu. Brianna likes her cake but also enjoy veggies, "My favorite vegetables are carrots, strawberries, that's all. And oranges." Levi likes, "Grapes and little trees" Whatever you call brocolli, educators are happy to hear kids enjoy "little trees".
You may wonder. Why didn't the U.S. start implementing changes sooner? This is actually part of a nationwide program that was created back in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, and since then a lot of changes have been made. Today's favorite item on the menu at Columbia Elementary? Homemade Lasagna with low-fat mozzarella cheese. Schools are hoping by educating its students about food and encouraging them to exercise, children will develop healthier eating habits that last a lifetime "There's a lot of pressure on school lunch with obesity and we're supposed to fix the problem and we're doing what we can. We really are. We have to provide good quality food. That's healthy and the kids need to think it tastes good too. It's about finding a healthy balance," says the district's dietician Katie Bastian.
Side note: All schools follow federal dietary guidelines when designing their lunch menus. The guidelines were last revised in 2005, and will be updated next year.
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"This is a big year for changes. We're following the dietary guidelines. We've added lots and lots of whole grains. We have whole wheat buns here, we've lowered the fat," says Katie Bastian, who is a registered dietician for Jordan School District.
The Jordan School District is kicking off National School Lunch week with new food items. 5th grader Levi Day says he enjoys school lunch depending on the day, but often times the menu offers things like, "Corn dogs, hot dogs, egg rolls; different kinds of fries." Kids are still enjoying their favorites. "We get to eat lasagna, pizza spaghetti," saysBrianna Holloway. And after a tour of the lunch cafeteria, some of the items (cake, french fries) didn't "look" healthy, but the district says the ingredients have changed. Columbia Elementary is adding whole wheat flour to its cake, and baking its fries. Vegetables and fruits are also on the menu. Brianna likes her cake but also enjoy veggies, "My favorite vegetables are carrots, strawberries, that's all. And oranges." Levi likes, "Grapes and little trees" Whatever you call brocolli, educators are happy to hear kids enjoy "little trees".
You may wonder. Why didn't the U.S. start implementing changes sooner? This is actually part of a nationwide program that was created back in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, and since then a lot of changes have been made. Today's favorite item on the menu at Columbia Elementary? Homemade Lasagna with low-fat mozzarella cheese. Schools are hoping by educating its students about food and encouraging them to exercise, children will develop healthier eating habits that last a lifetime "There's a lot of pressure on school lunch with obesity and we're supposed to fix the problem and we're doing what we can. We really are. We have to provide good quality food. That's healthy and the kids need to think it tastes good too. It's about finding a healthy balance," says the district's dietician Katie Bastian.
Side note: All schools follow federal dietary guidelines when designing their lunch menus. The guidelines were last revised in 2005, and will be updated next year.
SEND US YOUR NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS PICTURES! www.fox13now.com/pics
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