Physical  Health / Nutrition    

Nutrition

Appleton Central High School is committed to total student success.  Non-chemically processed foods, low in fat, salt, sugar, and fresh fruits and vegetables are a basis for the program.  Fresh water is available throughout the day.  Objectives of the program include having the students gain thorough knowledge of the integral role a healthy diet plays in maintaining the body and mind.  Students are exposed to the understanding of the possibility of an improved quality of life that each person can achieve with increased energy and stamina, and understanding the important role that good nutrition and physical fitness play in preventing life-threatening diseases.

For more information on the district's initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles, click here.

Why Health, Wellness and Nutrition?

School districts across the nation are looking for ways to improve their schools, but they often overlook an important influence on learning - good nutrition.  The connection between nutrition, chronic disease, and learning is well established among scientists, and they are clearly aware that inadequate food intake limits children’s ability to learn about their world. Researchers know that chronically undernourished children must use their energy for tasks in order of most importance: first for maintenance of critical organ functions, second for growth, and last for social interaction and overall cognitive functioning.

Children of all socioeconomic levels are at risk for poor nutrition.  Some children do not get enough to eat each day because their families lack money to buy sufficient food.  Other children consume enough food but have diets high in fat, sugar, and sodium that put them at risk for obesity or heart disease and other chronic illnesses.  Furthermore, as the number of parents in the workforce increases, more children are being left to fend for themselves for meals.  Students are faced with increasingly complex lifestyle choices that can affect health for themselves and their families.  In the midst of these busy lifestyles, the use of convenience food and frequency of eating meals and snacks away from home continue to increase.

Fewer students are consuming the recommended servings of the basic food groups appropriate for their caloric intakes; they do not realize they are at a very high risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases at a much younger age.  Furthermore, knowledge gained about school-based nutrition interventions over the past 15 years provides even more justification for implementation of comprehensive school-based nutrition programs and services.  Effects of nutrition intervention on children’s cognitive performance and health status provide a compelling argument for universal nutrition and health programs and services in schools.

Program Description

Appleton Central High School views nutrition as a priority to the extent that it facilitates our primary mission – education.   Realizing that the most productive ways for adolescents to make lifestyle changes that improve their health are to improve their diet and get adequate physical activity, the Appleton Central High School and Aramark maintains a nutrition program that strives to increase the knowledge and skills that affect food choices and physical activity patterns of at risk adolescents.  This school-based nutrition and wellness program promotes positive lifestyles and the development of effective decision-making skills.

Staff members, acting as positive role models, have created a total school environment that is supportive of healthful eating.  While nutrition is integrated across the content areas, services go beyond the classroom by altering the school environment, including healthy and nutritious breakfast and lunch and the absence of competitive foods (i.e. no soda and snack vending machines). Students are encouraged to explore the social, cultural and personal influences on their food choices.  The ultimate goal of our school-based nutrition program is to have students eating in a health-promoting manner.

What are the demonstrated outcomes?

The nutrition program is one aspect of the total educational program at Central High School and Appleton Community Learning Center.  Along with our nutrition program we have shorter class periods, a low student to staff ratio, a full time professional therapist, school social worker and Police School Liaison.  Our staff members are able to get to know each student on a personal level and differentiate their approaches to meet the social, academic and behavioral needs of our students.  Meals are served in a pleasant eating environment and staff socialize and eat with the students.

In observing our students we have noted that our total educational program has assisted our students in demonstrating:

·        An increased ability to concentrate in the school setting (more on-task behavior)

·        Increased attendance

·        Fewer disciplinary referrals

·        Less moodiness and more calmness, ability to think more clearly, objectively, and rationally

·        Fewer health complaints, i.e. headaches, stomach aches, general malaise

·        Reduced feeling of hunger in mid-morning and/or mid-afternoon

·        Increased practice of good nutrition outside of school

Program Basics

Appleton Central High School serves both a nutritious breakfast and lunch.  There are no vending machines within the school and no carry-in food and/or beverages are allowed.  In addition, CHS offers bottled water and encourages students to carry water bottles.  Students participate in fitness classes, learning life-long fitness activities.

The Breakfast Program consists of the following items:

·        Bottled water, 100 percent juice, skim milk, and a blended energy drink.  The flax-based energy drink is made fresh daily with a variety of fruits & juices and flax-based energy drink powder (with omega 3)

·        A variety of whole grain bagels, breads and muffin – all of which are free of additives, dyes, artificial preservatives, and saturated fats

·        Granola cereal

·        Fresh peanut butter, natural fruit preserves, Promise margarine

·        Fresh fruits, including bananas, apples, pears, oranges, plums, seasonal fruits, etc.

The Lunch Program includes the following:

·        Bottled water, 100 percent juice, skim milk, and a blended energy drink.  The energy drink is made fresh daily with a variety of fruits, juices and flax-based energy drink powder (with omega 3)

·        A variety of whole grain bagels, breads and muffin – all of which are free of additives, dyes, artificial preservatives, and saturated fats.  All bread products purchased from Alpha Baking, parent owner of the Natural Ovens brand.  For more information on Natural Ovens products, click here.

·        Salad Bar: dark green lettuce (no iceberg head lettuce), cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, sliced mushrooms, black olives, peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli and cauliflower spears, shredded carrots, diced boiled eggs, croutons made from whole grain breads, home-made apple sauce, shredded cabbage, peach and pear slices, pineapple chunks, and fruit salad

• Hot Entrée:  Central offers no ala carte items.  On-site cooks prepare the meals daily, and no food is prepared by frying in a grease product.  Meat products used include lean pork, chicken, turkey and fish (no beef).  A variety of spices, soymilk products and tofu are used as natural flavor enhances in many of the recipes.  Yogurt is used in place of mayonnaise.

 ARAMARK Education and Appleton Area School District

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
August 2008

 District-Wide Food Programs

Some of the following information does not apply to the alternative schools.

What is Appleton Area School District’s (AASD) approach to the foodservice program and student health and wellness?

The AASD promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment.  AASD supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices.  By facilitating learning through the support ad promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools contribute to the basic health status of children.  Research highlighting the positive relationship between good nutrition, physical activity, and the capacity of students to develop and learn is shared across AASD to ensure widespread understanding of the benefits to healthy school environments. 

 In September 2003, AASD changed all 25 schools’ menus and the new nutrition policy and standards went into effect:

 DISTRICT NUTRITION STANDARDS

The Appleton Area School District strongly encourages the sale or distribution of nutrient dense foods for all school functions and activities.  Nutrient dense foods are those foods that provide students with calories rich in the nutrient content needed to be healthy.  In an effort to support the consumption of nutrient dense foods in the school setting, the District has adopted the following Nutrition Standards governing the sale of food, beverage, and candy on school grounds.  Sites are encouraged to study these Standards and develop building policy using the following District Nutrition Standards as minimal guidelines.

Food:

• Any given food item for sale prior to the start of the school day and throughout the instructional day will have no more than 30% of its total calories derived from fat.
• Any given food item for sale prior to the start of the school day and throughout the instructional day will have no more than 10% of its total calories derived from saturated fat.
• Nuts and seeds are exempt from these standards because they are nutrient dense and contain high levels of mono-saturated fat.  Foods high in mono-saturated fat help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and maintain “good” HDL cholesterol.
• It is recognized that there may be rare special occasions when the school principal may allow a school group to deviate from these guidelines.
• Encourage the consumption of nutrient dense foods, i.e. whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

Beverages:

• Vending sales of soda or artificially sweetened drinks will nor be permitted on school grounds.
• The non-vending sale of soda or artificially sweetened drinks will not be permitted on school grounds both prior to the start of the school day and throughout the instructional day, but will be permitted at those special school events that begin after the conclusion of the instructional day.
• The vending sale of beverages, other than soda, with less than 10% fruit juice may begin at the conclusion of the instructional day.
• Milk, water, and 100% fruit juices may be sold on school grounds both prior to and throughout the instructional day.  This standard will be phased-in over the next three school years in the following manner:
  • 2003-04 School Year: Milk, water, and beverages containing 10% fruit juice with artificial sweetener may be sold on school grounds both prior to and throughout the instructional day.
  • 2004-05 School Year: Milk, water, and beverages containing 25% fruit juice with artificial sweetener may be sold on school grounds both prior to and throughout the instructional day.
  • 2005-06 School Year: Milk, water, and beverages containing 100% fruit juice with artificial sweetener may be sold on school grounds both prior to and throughout the instructional day.

 Candy:

• Vending sales of candy will not be permitted on school grounds.
• Non-vending sales of candy will be permitted at the conclusion of the instructional day.
• Candy is defined as any item that has sugar (including brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, fructose, glucose (dextrose), high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, molasses, Raw sugar, table sugar (sucrose), syrup), listed as one of the first two ingredients.

 Are the teachers and administrators (other than foodservice) aligned with this approach?

The entire school environment, not just the lunchroom, is aligned with healthy school goals to positively influence a student’s understanding, beliefs, and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity.  AASD has established a district-wide nutrition committee that meets at least two times annually to monitor the implementation of the nutrition policy, evaluate its progress, and serves as a resource to school sites.  The committee includes the district foodservice director, a dietician, a parent representative from each school level, a student representative from each school level, a staff member representative from each school level, an administrative representative (co-chair), and a physical education and health program leader (co-chair).

 AASD also has a comprehensive curriculum approach to nutrition for K-9.  All teachers are encouraged to integrate nutritional themes into daily lessons when appropriate.  The health benefits of good nutrition are emphasized.  These nutritional themes include: 

 Further, a healthy school environment should not be dependent on revenue from high-fat, low nutrient foods to support school programs.  In turn, all foods used for school fundraising, available on school grounds and at school-sponsored activities during the instructional day are required to meet or exceed the District’s nutrition standards.  Emphasis is placed on foods that are nutrient dense per calorie.

 Since the new District Nutrition Standards went into effect, what has actually changed?

Many changes have taken effect since the new Nutrition Policy was implemented within AASD:

A LA CARTE

• Eliminated all candy products
• Removed all soda/new age beverage machines
• Sold 10% juice first year; second year sold 50% juice – currently 100% juice only
• Replaced high fat ice cream novelties with the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Health Smart/Reduced Fat line of Ice Cream
• In the first year, reduced French fries to 3 times a week.  Beginning in September 2004, eliminated all deep-frying.  Offer baked fries 2 times a week.
• Added new items that meet 30% calories from fat

 LUNCH PROGRAM

• At High Schools and Middle Schools, use a Romaine Blend for salads.  At Elementary Schools, replaced shredded lettuce with All American Blend for Chef Salads and side salads. The blend includes Romaine Lettuce
• Increased offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables at all levels.  Veggie trays are offered daily at all schools.  Side salads are offered in convenient packaging
• Structured lunch prices so purchasing a meal combo with a fruit or vegetable serving was less expensive than an a la carte entrée.  Meals sold daily have increased
• Added new low fat items to menu
• Added whole wheat bread to elementary menu
• Piloting vegetable offerings at Edison Elementary
• Piloting Central Alternative lunch menu at Johnston Elementary

BREAKFAST

• Offering more non-sugared cereals
• Added “Fun Fridays” with reduced sugar cereals
• Hot items are menued more often
• Added Breakfast in the Classroom at Franklin, Highlands, Johnston and McKinley Elementary schools

 CATERING

• Only serve soda after 3 pm.  Offer water and juice during school hours
• Utilizing ARAMARK recipe base for low fat sandwich offerings and desserts
• Have done several “Yogurt Parfait Bars” for school groups
• Provided all food for the Healthy Kids Summer Institute

 PROJECTS IN REVIEW

• Assumed responsibility for Appleton Central meal program
• Working with vendors to bring in lower fat/healthier menu options
• Continuing to review and revamp recipes to lower fat
• Adding yogurt parfaits to menu option at all levels
• Work with focus groups to continue changes. 

 What healthy alternatives do you use at AASD?

·         Fruit cups packed in pear juice

·         Whole-grain foods/breads/pastas

·         Granola cereals

·         Baked (not fried) french fries

·         Low fat cookies and ice cream

·         Promise margarine instead of butter

·         Hot vegetable selection

·         Sandwiches mixed with fresh vegetables, for example – a chicken wrap with sliced carrots and cucumbers  

Do you offer any vegetarian or vegan choices to students at AASD?

·         We have a large vegetarian selection, such as Greek Salads, Mandarin Salads, Spinach Salads, Caesar Salads, veggie burgers, vegetarian quesadillas and vegetarian pizzas.

·         Currently exploring a local farms-to-school initiative to buy produce and other items from local farmers.  This will help us increase our organic offerings.

 How do you come up with the menu items/ideas at AASD?

Behind all of ARAMARK’s innovations is a group of best-in-class culinarians. ARAMARK hires more graduates from the Culinary Institute of America than any other foodservice company or major restaurant retailer. As a result, through ARAMARK’s Innovative Dining Solutions, they are able to build and evolve menus and dishes that deliver a superior dining experience.  We have 135 full-time, internal professionals working in our Innovative Dining Solutions department.  They cover four key areas of food service expertise—strategy, culinary, design and merchandising, and promotion development.

 The foodservice director at AASD, Monica Pomasl,RD can access a menu builder database that contains all the innovative menu ideas and recipes that our Innovative Dining Solutions department has created, researched and tested. 

 Further, we survey our students to get ideas about what they want and what are some of the trends they want to see reflected in the menu options.

 What are the benefits of homemade food versus premade food?

We can control the items that are used to create school meals, and in turn make more healthy selections.  For example, in our meal preparation we use whole-grain foods/breads and pastas all of which are free of additives, dyes, artificial preservatives and saturated fats.  The breads are made with whole wheat flour, oat bran, wheat germ, yeast, fructose and fortified flaxseed. 

 We also use reduced-sugar items, flax-seed bread, and yogurt instead of mayonnaise.  We serve foods that have no more than 30% of its total calories derived from fat and foods that have no more than 10% of its total calories derived from saturated fat. 

 Further, none of our foods are prepared by frying in grease product.  Our meat products include lean pork, chicken, turkey and fish.  We use natural fruit preserves, skim milk, granola cereal, 100% juices, and fresh peanut butter and Promise Margarine. 

 Are parents involved at all in the AASD foodservice program?  What are the benefits for them?

Nutrition education is provided to parents beginning at the elementary level.  AASD’s goal is to continue toe educate parents throughout the middle and high school levels.  Nutrition education is provided in the form of handouts, posting on the district Web site, and presentations that focus on nutritional value and healthy lifestyles.  Also, a parent representative from each school level is a member of the district-wide nutrition committee, and helps implement the district nutrition policy.

 AASD and ARAMARK provide healthy and fun menu items in inviting environments that help motivate students to eat, rather than skip, important meals.  In turn the benefit for parents is that AASD and ARAMARK are assisting them by promoting a healthy lifestyle to their kids. 

 What are students saying about the AASD foodservice program?

The students at AASD love the menu choices and healthier items. Here’s a sampling of some of the feedback our foodservice director, Monica Pomasl, has received:

• “We love the salad bar – there are so many choices!”
• “How can anyone eat plain white bread…it’s so bad for you.  I’m so happy that we get multi-grain breads at lunch.”

How much longer does it take to prepare healthier menu items? How much more does it cost?
It does not take any longer than usual to prepare healthy menu items for school breakfast and lunch programs.  It does often require a bit more planning and creativity.  ARAMARK, the foodservice provider at AASD, meets with key nutrition industry experts to review its menus and programs and employs a team of culinarians who create innovative menus for K-12 schools.

As far as costs are concerned, there is nothing inherently more expensive in the preparation phase for healthy food; ARAMARK’s sophisticated and comprehensive supply-chain management process assists in mitigating projected cost increases tied to supply changes. 

What is AASD’s relationship with Natural Ovens?

AASD no longer partners with Natural Ovens, however, ARAMARK, AASD’s foodservice provider, does purchase breads from Alpha Baking, parent owner of the Natural Ovens brand. 

Does AASD have vending machines?  What’s in them?

Yes, AASD has approximately 14 vending machines.  Vending sales of soda or artificially sweetened drinks is not permitted on school grounds.  The vending sale of beverages, other than soda, with less than 10% fruit juice may only begin at the conclusion of the instructional day.  Vending sales of candy is not permitted on school grounds (candy is defined as any item that has sugar listed as one of the first two ingredients).

What impact did the movie "Super Size Me" have on AASD and the foods that you serve?

“Super Size Me” demonstrates the need for good nutrition.  AASD agrees with the idea of supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as part of a total learning environment, and that is why many changes have been implemented to the AASD lunch program since 1997, including banning junk food in certain schools and none of our foods are prepared by frying in grease product.

ARAMARK-RELATED QUESTIONS

Why does AASD partner with ARAMARK for the foodservice program?

ARAMARK Education provides foodservice management to over 420 school districts, representing more than 4,000 K-12 public and private schools throughout the United States and is dedicated to providing nutritious, healthy food to the students it serves and has provided the K-12 market with quality food service programs for over fifty years. 

ARAMARK has had a long-standing commitment to nutrition awareness and giving students the education and tools to make “healthier” choices throughout the day.  We feel strongly about the health of children and offering a wide variety of menu options for healthy eating and healthy living. 

ARAMARK Education helps improve the overall educational and work experience of students, faculty, and staff by increasing student meal participation through innovative menu design, providing nutrition awareness, improving operations, boosting student satisfaction and achieving cost reductions.

For additional information regarding the ARAMARK food program  please contact Monica Pomasl

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Appleton Central High School & Appleton Community Learning Center & Dan Spalding Academy
November 18, 2008