Meal changes come to Tri-City school districts
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"To me it's important to teach them a healthy lifestyle," said Kassie Burnes.
For Burnes, it's healthy, nutritious food--- or no food at all. That's why she's ecstatic to hear schools are making some huge changes to her kid's menus. All in an effort to keep them healthier.
"There's been a pretty big change compared to when I was in school," added Burnes.
The changes started when the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act passed in 2010. And as the new school year gets underway, kids in the Tri-Cities will be eating more whole grains - and half cup portions of fruits and veggies.
"We were tasked with reformulating recipes - with determining what we needed to have as in our garden bar for the kids to add to their entree," said Kennewick School District Nutrition Services Director Sam Shick.
Each meal consists of five parts- grains, meat, fruit, vegetables and milk. The cashier examines each plate to make sure choose three of the groups.
"They look and they think - oh, I don't think I like it - but one you try it - they like it!" recounted Southgate Chef Nancy Floyd.
Floyd says only a handful of kids didn't meet the requirements.
"They're starting to understand that it's going to be good for them," asid Floyd.
"180 days of the school year - these are the right choices to make," emphasized Shick.
The district hopes students make good choices at home, too.
"We want to do our part though while we have the kids at school," said Shick.
And that's what Burnes wants, too.
"It's going to affect them in their daily lives," said Burnes.
Pasco increased its meal prices by ten cents to make the changes. Kennewick also made similar changes--- while Richland's prices remain the same.
For Burnes, it's healthy, nutritious food--- or no food at all. That's why she's ecstatic to hear schools are making some huge changes to her kid's menus. All in an effort to keep them healthier.
"There's been a pretty big change compared to when I was in school," added Burnes.
The changes started when the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act passed in 2010. And as the new school year gets underway, kids in the Tri-Cities will be eating more whole grains - and half cup portions of fruits and veggies.
"We were tasked with reformulating recipes - with determining what we needed to have as in our garden bar for the kids to add to their entree," said Kennewick School District Nutrition Services Director Sam Shick.
Each meal consists of five parts- grains, meat, fruit, vegetables and milk. The cashier examines each plate to make sure choose three of the groups.
"They look and they think - oh, I don't think I like it - but one you try it - they like it!" recounted Southgate Chef Nancy Floyd.
Floyd says only a handful of kids didn't meet the requirements.
"They're starting to understand that it's going to be good for them," asid Floyd.
"180 days of the school year - these are the right choices to make," emphasized Shick.
The district hopes students make good choices at home, too.
"We want to do our part though while we have the kids at school," said Shick.
And that's what Burnes wants, too.
"It's going to affect them in their daily lives," said Burnes.
Pasco increased its meal prices by ten cents to make the changes. Kennewick also made similar changes--- while Richland's prices remain the same.
