LANSING - School districts throughout Michigan will celebrate National School Lunch Week from October 12-16, 2009, as adopted by the State Board of Education.
This year's theme for National School Lunch Week, entitled All-Star School Lunch, presents an excellent opportunity to promote school lunch programs statewide and to emphasize the importance of child nutrition.
The National School Lunch Program has served children for over 60 years through advanced practices and nutrition education. The National School Lunch Program has been joined through the years by many other excellent child feeding programs; and there is evidence of continued need for nutrition education and awareness of the value of school nutrition programs.
Within the federally funded National School Lunch Program, nearly 31 million children are served daily nationwide. Last school year, more than 870,000 school lunches were served daily to Michigan students at more than 3,800 sites.
"Children who are provided breakfast and lunch daily are better prepared for the classroom environment, being able to focus solely on their learning, rather than a basic biological need," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan.
The National School Lunch Program provides nutritionally balanced low-cost and free meals to students. The program requires school meals to meet federal nutrition standards. Well-balanced school lunches must include protein, fruits and vegetables, grains and low-fat milk and be served in age-appropriate portions.
National School Lunch Week serves as a fitting time to recognize everyone who contributes to the successful operation of our state's school lunch food service programs and to urge all Michigan residents to become aware and concerned about their children's and their own nutrition habits, in hope of achieving a more healthful citizenry for today and the future.
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