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District 67 Looks to Improve Lunch Program

Parents of elementary and middle school students in Lake Forest School District 67 were surveyed last semester about the lunch program and what they felt could improve. Results of that survey were recently released.

 

Lake Forest School District 67 is using the results of a survey taken last December to adjust its lunch program.

The majority of elementary school parents, 63 percent, and middle school parents, 61 percent, indicated overall satisfaction with the current lunch program (result summaries are attached to this story).

However, respondents said there were several areas for improvement such as nutrition, the posting of information like ingredients, food preparation and lunch line wait times, according to the survey.

The survey was created with input from the district's two food service committees, which included parents and students. The committees meet monthly with Quest Food Management Services, the district's lunch provider, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Lombard-based Quest Food Management, which has been serving schools since 1985, aims to give students "fresher, more wholesome, made from scratch food," according to its Website.

The district's lunch menu includes kid favorites like pizza, chiceken nuggets and hot dogs. However, most of the breads and rolls are whole wheat, 100 percent pure beef is used in the hamburgers and hot dogs and turkey sausage is used for breakfast and on pizza, according to the district.

Students also have access to an unlimited fruit and veggie bar, half of which is organic, for an extra cost. They also have a choice of milk including organic and soy. Soda is not offered.

"The response is very positive," said district food service director Anne Simons about how the kids like the healthier food choices," reported the Chicago Tribune. "For the last five years since Quest, we've been serving all these items, so now we're only offering brown rice, and it's been a very positive response. We have high participation."

Tell Us: Are you satisfied with the quality of your child's lunch program? Take the survey and post your comments.

  • Are we making too big a deal out of the value of school lunch?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • No. Childhood obesity is an epidemic and children should get proper nutrition whenever possible. Schools should take some responsibility in that.
        0 (0%)
    • Yes. So what if a kid eats a few chicken nuggets? They don't need $5 soy milk and organic fruit to be healthy. Besides, if you don't like what the school serves, save some money and brown bag it!
        0 (0%)
    Total votes: 0
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Lake Forest School District 67, School Lunch, school cafeteria, and school lunch program

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