Students at Visitation Valley Middle School will have an easier time hearing what's going on in class this school year, when the production facility for the SFUSD school lunch program moves from their campus to a new site in Brisbane on August 6.
The giant 18-wheeler trucks currently delivering all district meals and supplies to the Viz Valley campus will no longer be rattling across their schoolyard from 6am on. Three giant refrigeration units which held the district's meals, and created a racket which drifted into classrooms, will be gone as well.
The new 22,500 square foot state-of-the-art Brisbane facility, owned and operated by SFUSD's meal provider Preferred Meal Systems, allows all production site work to be
done in a climate controlled environment. Food and supplies will be received from loading docks and quickly moved to proper refrigeration in a completely food-safe environment.
All government-required Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety procedures can be easily followed in the new facility, something which provided enormous challenges at the 1,000 square foot Viz Valley site. The lack of facilities at Viz Valley was problematic not only for ensuring health and safety of students, but also for employees working at the site. All those employees have been reassigned to other positions within Student Nutrition Services, with no layoffs or reductions in hours.
The new production facility will be able to provide backup meals and supplies which can quickly be delivered to sites when shortages arise, so students should no longer see last-minute menu substitutions. The Brisbane site also will house enough emergency meals for the entire district in the event of catastrophe; for example, if a massive power failure resulted in many schools being unable to heat up their meals, the emergency meals, which are designed to be served right off the shelf, could quickly be provided so that students would not be left with no lunch. The smaller Viz Valley facility was not able to handle either situation adequately.
But for the students of Viz Valley, the peace and quiet resulting from no longer having to share their school with the production site for the largest public feeding program in San Francisco is the best news of all.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
New school lunch updates — Fall 2010
Please feel free to share with your school groups
As students head back to school, there is good news on the school lunch front.
All lunches served in the SFUSD now meet the Gold Standard of the USDA's
Healthier US Schools Challenge. Meals will include more dark green and orange
vegetables, such as spinach, sweet potatoes, collards, and broccoli, and more
legumes. Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole grain breads will continue.
Even the breadcrumbs on the ever-popular chicken nuggets will be whole grain
— and the chicken is made from whole pieces of breast meat, not "chopped
and formed" dark meat, and baked, not fried. More varieties of fresh fruit will be
available as well as a few more choices of cut up fruit (in its own juice, never
syrup.) More salad bars will open at the few middle and high schools which don't
already have one. The middle and high school salad bars will have added choices,
including corn and beans daily. Schools without salad bars will see installation
of a dome covered server for fresh leafy greens right in the lunch line, and a
wider variety of fresh raw vegetables changing daily. Beginning in October, all
schools will offer new entrée choices featuring more whole grains, legumes, and
dark green/orange vegetables.
At the middle and high schools, the old system, which provided cafeteria service
of government-reimbursed meals in one line and other a la carte selections
available for purchase in a different line, has been eliminated. The new system
offers more choices, all of which are available to all students, including
low-income students who receive free lunch. All items are now sold as complete
meals, which under federal requirements means they are all now available to
students who qualify for free lunch. Students may select traditional cafeteria
options with a salad bar, or choose from options like freshly made sandwiches,
rice bowls, pizza or bagel with sun butter. All entree items will include
vegetables, fruit, and milk for $3, or free to low-income students.
Of course, all of this better food comes at a cost. Studies show that healthier
food costs more than junk food, and that the price difference is increasing.
In addition, new federal regulations are expected to require that paid meals (purchased by non-low-income students) not be priced below the amount the government provides as reimbursement for a free meal for a low-income student. As a result, the price for paid lunch will now be $3 at all levels; breakfast price will remain at $1.50 and adult meals also will not increase ($2 for breakfast and $3.50 for lunch.)
SFUSD families may now prepay for students' cafeteria meals — by the month, by
the week or on their own schedule. The new MealpayPlus program allows families
to register at www.mealpayplus.com and conveniently prepay by credit card, debit card or electronic check online or by phone. MealpayPlus speeds up service in the cafeteria and eliminates the need for kids to carry lunch money to school. Families may also pay by check or cash at school, or may choose to send checks by mail. MealpayPlus also allows families, including those who qualify for free meals, to view their students' history of cafeteria purchases. You will need
your student's ID number or H0 number, which is found on report cards and other
school materials, or may be obtained from your school office.
As students head back to school, there is good news on the school lunch front.
All lunches served in the SFUSD now meet the Gold Standard of the USDA's
Healthier US Schools Challenge. Meals will include more dark green and orange
vegetables, such as spinach, sweet potatoes, collards, and broccoli, and more
legumes. Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole grain breads will continue.
Even the breadcrumbs on the ever-popular chicken nuggets will be whole grain
— and the chicken is made from whole pieces of breast meat, not "chopped
and formed" dark meat, and baked, not fried. More varieties of fresh fruit will be
available as well as a few more choices of cut up fruit (in its own juice, never
syrup.) More salad bars will open at the few middle and high schools which don't
already have one. The middle and high school salad bars will have added choices,
including corn and beans daily. Schools without salad bars will see installation
of a dome covered server for fresh leafy greens right in the lunch line, and a
wider variety of fresh raw vegetables changing daily. Beginning in October, all
schools will offer new entrée choices featuring more whole grains, legumes, and
dark green/orange vegetables.
At the middle and high schools, the old system, which provided cafeteria service
of government-reimbursed meals in one line and other a la carte selections
available for purchase in a different line, has been eliminated. The new system
offers more choices, all of which are available to all students, including
low-income students who receive free lunch. All items are now sold as complete
meals, which under federal requirements means they are all now available to
students who qualify for free lunch. Students may select traditional cafeteria
options with a salad bar, or choose from options like freshly made sandwiches,
rice bowls, pizza or bagel with sun butter. All entree items will include
vegetables, fruit, and milk for $3, or free to low-income students.
Of course, all of this better food comes at a cost. Studies show that healthier
food costs more than junk food, and that the price difference is increasing.
In addition, new federal regulations are expected to require that paid meals (purchased by non-low-income students) not be priced below the amount the government provides as reimbursement for a free meal for a low-income student. As a result, the price for paid lunch will now be $3 at all levels; breakfast price will remain at $1.50 and adult meals also will not increase ($2 for breakfast and $3.50 for lunch.)
SFUSD families may now prepay for students' cafeteria meals — by the month, by
the week or on their own schedule. The new MealpayPlus program allows families
to register at www.mealpayplus.com and conveniently prepay by credit card, debit card or electronic check online or by phone. MealpayPlus speeds up service in the cafeteria and eliminates the need for kids to carry lunch money to school. Families may also pay by check or cash at school, or may choose to send checks by mail. MealpayPlus also allows families, including those who qualify for free meals, to view their students' history of cafeteria purchases. You will need
your student's ID number or H0 number, which is found on report cards and other
school materials, or may be obtained from your school office.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Middle & high school menus May 14-21
SFUSD middle and high school cafeteria menus
May 17-21, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 17
Breakfast: Waffle w/turkey sausage, graham crackers, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Chicken dippers w/tomato parmesan sauce or sweet & sour brown rice bowl w/chicken & vegetables, salad bar selection, garlic bread (Veg: Mini-cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Tuesday, May 18
Breakfast: Pancakes, 100% fruit punch, Cinnamon Elf Grahams
Lunch: Swedish meatballs w/green beans or mini-cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce, salad bar selection, corn muffin
Wednesday, May 19
Breakfast: Bagel w/cream cheese, Honey Belly Bears, grape juice
Lunch: Grilled chicken w/BBQ sauce or turkey hot dog, salad bar selection, Oats & Honey Goldfish (Veg: Low-fat toasted cheese on wheat)
Thursday, May 20
Breakfast: French toast sticks, orange juice
Lunch: Macaroni & cheese w/turkey ham or crispy chicken tenderse, salad bar selection, carrot muffin (Veg: Macaroni & cheese)
Friday, May 21
Breakfast: Chicken biscuit, apple juice
Lunch: Pepperoni pizza (whole wheat crust) or chicken & bean burrito, salad bar selection, mini pretzels (Veg: Cheese Pisa pizza w/whole wheat crust)
May 17-21, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 17
Breakfast: Waffle w/turkey sausage, graham crackers, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Chicken dippers w/tomato parmesan sauce or sweet & sour brown rice bowl w/chicken & vegetables, salad bar selection, garlic bread (Veg: Mini-cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Tuesday, May 18
Breakfast: Pancakes, 100% fruit punch, Cinnamon Elf Grahams
Lunch: Swedish meatballs w/green beans or mini-cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce, salad bar selection, corn muffin
Wednesday, May 19
Breakfast: Bagel w/cream cheese, Honey Belly Bears, grape juice
Lunch: Grilled chicken w/BBQ sauce or turkey hot dog, salad bar selection, Oats & Honey Goldfish (Veg: Low-fat toasted cheese on wheat)
Thursday, May 20
Breakfast: French toast sticks, orange juice
Lunch: Macaroni & cheese w/turkey ham or crispy chicken tenderse, salad bar selection, carrot muffin (Veg: Macaroni & cheese)
Friday, May 21
Breakfast: Chicken biscuit, apple juice
Lunch: Pepperoni pizza (whole wheat crust) or chicken & bean burrito, salad bar selection, mini pretzels (Veg: Cheese Pisa pizza w/whole wheat crust)
Elementary school menus, May 17-21
SFUSD elementary school cafeteria menus
May 17-21, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 17
Breakfast: Corn Flakes, Apple Waffle Crackers, fruit punch
Lunch: Chicken dippers w/tomato parmesan sauce, fresh apple, garlic bread (Veg: Mini cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Tuesday, May 18
Breakfast: Waffle w/turkey sausage, graham crackers, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Bean & cheese burrito, buttered corn, fresh orange wedges
Wednesday, May 19
Breakfast: Apple fruit muffin, 100% fruit punch
Lunch: Grilled chicken patty w/green beans, fresh banana (Veg: Low fat toasted cheese on wheat)
Thursday, May 20
Breakfast: Chicken biscuit, apple juice
Lunch: Macaroni & cheese w/turkey ham, cucumber sticks, pineapple tidbits, Cinnamon Elf Grahams (Veg: Macaroni & cheese)
Friday, May 21
Breakfast: Kix cereal (low sugar), Strawberry Waffle Crackers, strawberry kiwi juice
Lunch: Pepperoni pizza (whole wheat crust), baby carrots, fresh grapes, Cinnamon Belly Bears (Veg: Cheese Pisa pizza w/whole grain crust)
May 17-21, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 17
Breakfast: Corn Flakes, Apple Waffle Crackers, fruit punch
Lunch: Chicken dippers w/tomato parmesan sauce, fresh apple, garlic bread (Veg: Mini cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Tuesday, May 18
Breakfast: Waffle w/turkey sausage, graham crackers, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Bean & cheese burrito, buttered corn, fresh orange wedges
Wednesday, May 19
Breakfast: Apple fruit muffin, 100% fruit punch
Lunch: Grilled chicken patty w/green beans, fresh banana (Veg: Low fat toasted cheese on wheat)
Thursday, May 20
Breakfast: Chicken biscuit, apple juice
Lunch: Macaroni & cheese w/turkey ham, cucumber sticks, pineapple tidbits, Cinnamon Elf Grahams (Veg: Macaroni & cheese)
Friday, May 21
Breakfast: Kix cereal (low sugar), Strawberry Waffle Crackers, strawberry kiwi juice
Lunch: Pepperoni pizza (whole wheat crust), baby carrots, fresh grapes, Cinnamon Belly Bears (Veg: Cheese Pisa pizza w/whole grain crust)
Monday, May 10, 2010
Middle & high school menus May 10-14
SFUSD middle and high school cafeteria menus
May 10-14, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 10
Breakfast: Buttermilk waffle, Honey Belly Bears, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Wheat penne bake w/meat sauce or bean & cheese burrito, salad bar selection, garlic bread
Tuesday, May 11
Breakfast: Pancake w/turkey sausage, 100% fruit punch, Cinnamon Elf Grahams
Lunch: Chicken tostada boat or teriyaki meatballs w/rice, salad bar selection, corn muffin (Veg: Mini cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Wednesday, May 12
Breakfast: Bagel w/cream cheese, Honey Belly Bears, grape juice
Lunch: Charbroiled hamburger or grilled chicken w/BBQ sauce, salad bar selection, Cheddar Goldfish crackers (Veg: Low-fat toasted cheese on wheat)
Thursday, May 13
Breakfast: French toast sticks, orange juice
Lunch: Cheese Pisa Pizza (whole wheat crust) or crispy chicken nuggets, salad bar selection, raisin bran muffin
Friday, May 14
Breakfast: Turkey ham & cheese on English muffin, apple juice
Lunch: Santa Fe chicken w/Spanish rice or bean & cheese burrito, salad bar selection, mini-pretzels (Veg: Cheese Pisa pizza w/whole wheat crust)
May 10-14, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 10
Breakfast: Buttermilk waffle, Honey Belly Bears, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Wheat penne bake w/meat sauce or bean & cheese burrito, salad bar selection, garlic bread
Tuesday, May 11
Breakfast: Pancake w/turkey sausage, 100% fruit punch, Cinnamon Elf Grahams
Lunch: Chicken tostada boat or teriyaki meatballs w/rice, salad bar selection, corn muffin (Veg: Mini cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Wednesday, May 12
Breakfast: Bagel w/cream cheese, Honey Belly Bears, grape juice
Lunch: Charbroiled hamburger or grilled chicken w/BBQ sauce, salad bar selection, Cheddar Goldfish crackers (Veg: Low-fat toasted cheese on wheat)
Thursday, May 13
Breakfast: French toast sticks, orange juice
Lunch: Cheese Pisa Pizza (whole wheat crust) or crispy chicken nuggets, salad bar selection, raisin bran muffin
Friday, May 14
Breakfast: Turkey ham & cheese on English muffin, apple juice
Lunch: Santa Fe chicken w/Spanish rice or bean & cheese burrito, salad bar selection, mini-pretzels (Veg: Cheese Pisa pizza w/whole wheat crust)
Elementary school menus May 10-14
SFUSD elementary school cafeteria menus
May 10-14, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 10
Breakfast: Kix cereal (low sugar), Strawberry Waffle crackers, strawberry kiwi juice
Lunch: Whole wheat penne w/meat sauce, fresh apple, garlic bread (Veg: Mini cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Tuesday, May 11
Breakfast: Buttermilk waffle, Honey Belly Bears, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Chicken tostada boat, jicama sticks, fresh orange wedges (Veg: Bean & cheese burrito)
Wednesday, May 12
Breakfast: Multigrain Cheerios, banana muffin, apple juice
Lunch: Hamburger & corn, fresh organic fruit (Veg: macaroni & cheese w/mixed veggies)
Thursday, May 13
Breakfast: Turkey ham & cheese on English muffin, grape juice
Lunch: Grilled cheese on wheat, peas & carrots, applesauce, Goldfish crackers
Friday, May 14
Breakfast: Crispix cereal, Honey Grahams, apple juice
Lunch: Santa Fe chicken w/Spanish rice, zucchini sticks, fresh pear (Veg: low-fat toasted cheese on wheat)
May 10-14, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 10
Breakfast: Kix cereal (low sugar), Strawberry Waffle crackers, strawberry kiwi juice
Lunch: Whole wheat penne w/meat sauce, fresh apple, garlic bread (Veg: Mini cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Tuesday, May 11
Breakfast: Buttermilk waffle, Honey Belly Bears, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Chicken tostada boat, jicama sticks, fresh orange wedges (Veg: Bean & cheese burrito)
Wednesday, May 12
Breakfast: Multigrain Cheerios, banana muffin, apple juice
Lunch: Hamburger & corn, fresh organic fruit (Veg: macaroni & cheese w/mixed veggies)
Thursday, May 13
Breakfast: Turkey ham & cheese on English muffin, grape juice
Lunch: Grilled cheese on wheat, peas & carrots, applesauce, Goldfish crackers
Friday, May 14
Breakfast: Crispix cereal, Honey Grahams, apple juice
Lunch: Santa Fe chicken w/Spanish rice, zucchini sticks, fresh pear (Veg: low-fat toasted cheese on wheat)
Monday, May 3, 2010
Middle & high school menus May 3-7
SFUSD middle and high school cafeteria menus
May 3-7, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 3
Breakfast: Waffle w/turkey sausage, graham crackers, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Teriyaki glazed chicken w/fried rice or bean & cheese burrito, salad bar selection, corn muffin (Veg: Breaded veggie nuggets)
Tuesday, May 4
Breakfast: Pancakes, 100% fruit punch, Cinnamon Elf Grahams
Lunch: Chicken & bean burrito or patty melt sandwich, salad bar selection, Apple Cinnamon Multigrain Crisp (Veg: mini cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Wednesday, May 5
Breakfast: Bagel w/cream cheese, Honey Belly Bears, grape juice
Lunch: Turkey hot dog or spaghetti w/meat sauce, salad bar selection, mini-pretzels (Veg: Macaroni & cheese w/mixed veggies)
Thursday, May 6
Breakfast: French toast sticks, orange juice
Lunch: Orange chicken w/rice or French bread pepperoni pizza, salad bar selection, apple muffin (Veg: Bean & cheese burrito)
Friday, May 7
Breakfast: Chicken biscuit, apple juice
Lunch: Pizza dippers or crispy chicken nuggets, salad bar selection, Cheddar Goldfish crackers
May 3-7, 2010
All meals served with appropriate buns, condiments and a choice of milk. Menu subject to change.
Monday, May 3
Breakfast: Waffle w/turkey sausage, graham crackers, orange pineapple juice
Lunch: Teriyaki glazed chicken w/fried rice or bean & cheese burrito, salad bar selection, corn muffin (Veg: Breaded veggie nuggets)
Tuesday, May 4
Breakfast: Pancakes, 100% fruit punch, Cinnamon Elf Grahams
Lunch: Chicken & bean burrito or patty melt sandwich, salad bar selection, Apple Cinnamon Multigrain Crisp (Veg: mini cheese ravioli w/Ragu sauce)
Wednesday, May 5
Breakfast: Bagel w/cream cheese, Honey Belly Bears, grape juice
Lunch: Turkey hot dog or spaghetti w/meat sauce, salad bar selection, mini-pretzels (Veg: Macaroni & cheese w/mixed veggies)
Thursday, May 6
Breakfast: French toast sticks, orange juice
Lunch: Orange chicken w/rice or French bread pepperoni pizza, salad bar selection, apple muffin (Veg: Bean & cheese burrito)
Friday, May 7
Breakfast: Chicken biscuit, apple juice
Lunch: Pizza dippers or crispy chicken nuggets, salad bar selection, Cheddar Goldfish crackers
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