District of Excellence in Child Nutrition
Served 8.5 million meals during 2006-2007 school year

What's New for the 2007-2008 School Year

District of Excellence

• For the third year, Virginia Beach City School Food Services is designated as a District of Excellence in Child Nutrition by the School Nutrition Association.

Technology Updates

• Touch screen point of sale systems with student pictures appearing and allergy alerts will be implemented in a sub-set of schools
• My School Bucks, meal pre-payments via Internet will continue school year. 
• School messenger, a telephone calling system, will continue to notify households of important alerts such as low student meal account balances, free meal application expiration dates and other topics.

Health and Wellness Emphasized

• Many products are being reformulated to contain whole grains for increased nutrient content, especially fiber.  Examples are:  corn dog nuggets, pizza crust & pretzels
• A few new products have been added.  For example, upgraded stuffed crust pizza, 100% cheese with extra sauce.  The crust is whole grain but you would never know it.  A new burrito is on the menu.  Roasted Cuban pork served with black beans and rice is new. 
• A new vegetarian black bean burger will be a daily choice in secondary schools
• Sweet potato fries will be a new menu choice in elementary schools
• New & improved reduced fat, bake and serve cookies are back
• All fried potato products have been removed from school meals in the middle & high schools.  French fries will be available in small 3 ounce servings but a la carte only.
• Products containing trans fatty acids, trans fat, have been removed or replaced
• Salad dressing are reduced fat, reduced calorie
• Virginia Action for Healthy Kids guidelines are being phased in by upgrading nutrient content of snack and beverage items.  For example, 100% fruit juices and water are offered.  Chips are baked and reduced fat only in smaller bag sizes.  More frozen fruit juice novelties have been added as a choice along with ice cream novelties.  Reduced fat ice cream items have been added, such as reduced fat cotton candy push ups.  Middle school snack vending machines will feature the new healthier products.  Frozen slush beverages are 100% juice.  New lower fat, lower sugar, lower calorie snack products are available.  For example, Flat Earth fruit and vegetable chips, Stacy’s soy crisps, cereal bars, whole grain cookies and 100 calorie packs will be available. 

Going Green Initiatives

• Virginia Beach Schools are taking steps to become more environmentally friendly.  Food Services will replace current 16 ounce plastic and 8 ounce Styrofoam cups with biodegradable alternatives.  There will be a focus on decreasing the use of disposable trays.  The cleaning and sanitation program followed in school kitchens features biodegradable environmentally friendly cleaning products.   Plastic milk chugs are being recycled which has decreased the volume of trash and number of plastic garbage bags used.

Breakfast in the Classroom

• Additional sites are being added to the breakfast in the classroom mode of service

New Cafeteria Managers

• There are a few brand new cafeteria managers and school to school cafeteria manager changes