KIMBERLY BELLAMY
Students preferring french fries and chicken nuggets over fruits and vegetables has affected the participation rates for Edgecombe County Public Schools Child Nutrition Department.
The menus for the school lunches have shifted offering more nutritious foods, but not as many students are opting to put those items on their plates.
From August 2008 to January 2009, 527,068 lunches were purchased. From August 2009-January 2010, 508,784 meals were purchased, a difference of 18,284.
"Produce has gone up significantly. That definitely effects how our nutrition analysis comes out," said Ruth McDowell, director of child nutrition.
McDowell began working with ECPS on July 1.
McDowell said that the schools are offering chef salads everyday; raw fruits at least two days a week; white wheat bread for hamburger buns, hot dog buns and loaf bread; whole grain rice and whole grain pizza crust at the high schools.
Not as many high school students are eating the whole grain pizza crust, but McDowell mentioned the health value of students eating that type of bread rather than the traditional pizza crust. She hopes to offer whole wheat bread next year.
"I know it's going to be a struggle to implement, but we have to take those steps at some point," McDowell said.
All of the foods are being baked with the exception of chicken and french fries on occasions. French fries are only being offered once a week.
"In looking at the nutritional value of it, it was the better choice. It's been totally revamped, but it's being seen in the participation," McDowell said.
The school system’s audit conducted by Gerrelene Walker indicated that the Child Nutrition department had a net loss of $3,764 for 2008-09 fiscal year. Those figures have been turned around during the current fiscal year.
As of Jan. 31, the department has produced a net profit of $108,000 despite the loss of participation.
McDowell believes that the use of the commodity foods such as rice and pasta products, meats, pork, vegetables and fruits has helped the program prosper this year. The United States Department of Agriculture gives schools an allotment of products based on their participation rates two years ago. The Child Nutrition Commodity Program helps farmers by providing them with cash reimbursements for meals served at school.
“Because I’m not spending as much on food purchases, I feel that’s helping us stay above water,” McDowell said.
The Child Nutrition Department may get a boost from government with President Barack Obama making plans to reauthorize the Child Nurtrition Act and provide $1 billion each year for 10 years for nutritious lunches to those that qualify. First Lady Michelle Obama has also launched a campaign called, “Let’s Move,” to reduce the amount of childhood obesity nationwide.
According to statistics from the North Carolina Nutrition and Physical Activity Surveillance, one-third of children ages 2-4 are overweight. In Edgecombe, the rate of overweight children is 29.4 percent for that age range.
McDowell said she is considering doing some alternative things to get the numbers up for the department and to keep the children healthy.
She mentioned increasing physical activity and monitoring the types of foods that are being brought into the schools for events such as class parties.
“We want to make sure outside food that’s brought in meets the traditional standards,” she said.
McDowell said the managers provide her with constant feedback on the recipes they use , and she is looking into doing some taste testing.
This week is National School Breakfast Week and some students were treated to breakfast in the classroom this week.
In addition, McDowell said parent involvement is needed to ensure students are eating healthy.
“We want to encourage parents to encourage their students to eat our breakfast and our lunches because it’s a healthier choice.”
