What's for Lunch - Thurs., 1/31

Chicken bites with whole grain roll - plus a trip to the salad bar

Cup of Soup
White Meat Chicken “Bites”
Whole Grain Roll
Buttered Whole Wheat Penne w/Basil
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Strawberry-Grape Cup

The soup this week is chicken noodle. It has 3g of fat (1g saturated) and it's quite salty - 670mg of sodium. The ingredients are: Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken (Chicken, Water, Modified Food Starch, Salt), Carrots, Pasta (Wheat, Eggs, Egg Whites, Niacin, Iron [Ferrous Sulfate], Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Celery, Onions, Contains 2% or less of: Chicken Base (Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor [Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil], Chicken Broth, Turmeric), Chicken Flavor (Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavor [Chicken Powder, Chicken Fat], Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Tocopherols), Chicken Fat, Olive Oil, Parsley, Acacia & Xanthan Gum, Garlic, Turmeric, Nisin Preparation and Spices.
Contains: Wheat and Egg.

The chicken is a Tyson "fully cooked chicken breast nugget fritter with rib meat" with 10g of fat and 420mg of sodium.  The ingredients are: Boneless, skinless chicken breast nuggets with rib meat, water, modified food starch, sodium phosphates, salt. PREDUSTED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), wheat gluten, salt. BATTERED WITH: Water, enriched bleached wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), modified corn starch, salt, dextrose, spices, garlic powder, xanthan gum, oleoresin paprika and annatto. BREADED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), salt, spices, garlic powder, extractives of paprika, natural flavors (spice extractives). Breading set in vegetable oil.

Roll with some whole grains. And pasta with butter - this surprises me, really.

Fresh fruits and vegetables.

What's for Lunch - Wed., 1/30

FARM FRESH BURGERS
Cup of Soup
Hamburger or Cheeseburger
Lettuce & Tomato Toppings
Oven-Baked “Fries”
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Pears in Fruit Juice

The soup this week is chicken noodle. It has 3g of fat (1g saturated) and it's quite salty - 670mg of sodium. The ingredients are: Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken (Chicken, Water, Modified Food Starch, Salt), Carrots, Pasta (Wheat, Eggs, Egg Whites, Niacin, Iron [Ferrous Sulfate], Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Celery, Onions, Contains 2% or less of: Chicken Base (Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor [Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil], Chicken Broth, Turmeric), Chicken Flavor (Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavor [Chicken Powder, Chicken Fat], Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Tocopherols), Chicken Fat, Olive Oil, Parsley, Acacia & Xanthan Gum, Garlic, Turmeric, Nisin Preparation and Spices.
Contains: Wheat and Egg.

The burgers are made from NYS beef without additional hormones or unnecessary antibiotics. 

Fries. Canned pears.

2/4/13 Update: I have new information on these fries. They are flash or par-fried and then baked. I think they have only 25mg of sodium and 4g of fat. Ingredients are: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (contains one or more of the following oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn). Contains 2% or less of Annatto (color), Caramel Color, Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Added to Preserve Natural Color. 


The salad bar is a great place to look for fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables to go with your burger.

What's for Lunch - Tues., 1/29

BRUNCH FOR LUNCH
Cinnamon Challah French Toast (Order Entree #1)
Applegate® Turkey Bacon
OR
Scrambled Egg & Cheese Wrap (Order Entree #2)
Sweet Potato Waffle Fries
Grab n’ Go Apple Slices

Say "No" to meal declared to be "cake" for lunch by our committee's nutritionist - basically white flour bread.  The syrup is basically HFCS.  They are looking for an affordable maple syrup but do not have one yet - but they will be limiting the serving size this year in the meantime.  Actual lunch from our schools above. This meal has a lot of sugar, simple carbohydrates -- no whole grains.

The turkey bacon is by Applegate.  Here are the ingredients: Turkey (Turkey Used Never Administered Antibiotics, Growth Promotants or Animal By-products), Water, Sea Salt, Maple Sugar, Celery Juice, Onion Powder, Spices, Lactic Acid Starter Culture (not From Milk.)  They promote it as nitrate-free but this NYT article indicates otherwise - and cites the company saying their products have the same level (naturally) of cancer-causing nitrates as conventional brands. Read more about nitrates here.

I do not believe the wrap used for the egg and cheese is whole grain.  

The waffle fries have 220 mg of sodium, 5g of fat and added sugar. The ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following Oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn), Potato Starch - Modified. Contains 2% or less of Annatto (color), Baking Soda, Beta Carotene (color),Caramel (Color), Natural Flavors, Rice Flour, Salt, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate(Maintains Natural Color & Leavening), Sugar, Tapioca Dextrin, Xanthan Gum.

What's for Lunch - Mon., 1/28

PASTA MONDAY!
Whole Wheat Rotini w/Meatballs
OR
Whole Wheat Rotini w/ Mozzarella & Broccoli
Baby Carrots with Dip
Pineapple In Juice

This is a whole grain rotini by Zerega.  The sauce is a Red Pack vitamin enhanced tomato sauce. The sodium at 140mg is much lower than we previously used.  Here are the ingredients: Tomato Concentrate (Water, Tomato Paste), Sugar, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Onion Powder, Spices, Salt, Citric Acid, Garlic Powder, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Black Pepper, Vitamin E (DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Natural Flavor, Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate)

The meatballs are are processed, cooked and frozen by Tyson.  Ingredients are: Ground beef (not more than 20% fat), water, bread crumbs (bleached wheat flour, salt, yeast, dextrose, and soybean oil), seasoning (salt, dehydrated onion, dehydrated celery, garlic powder, spices, soybean oil), tomato puree (tomatoes and citric acid), grated parmesan cheese [(cultured part-skim milk, salt and enzymes), cellulose powder, potassium sorbate], grated romano cheese made from cow's milk [(cultured pasteurized part-skim milk, salt and enzymes), cellulose powder, potassium sorbate].   They have 9g of fat (3 are saturated) and 450 mg of sodium.

So, go with the fresh broccoli and the mozzarella (part skim.)

Carrots are domestic and served with a full fat organic ranch dressing.

Pineapple is packed in juice and is a product of Thailand. 

Action Alert! And all you have to do is tweet ...

From the Center for Science in the Public Interest:

Taco Bell’s new Superbowl ad tries to convince people that bringing a veggie tray to game day is a violation of the ‘Game Day Code.’ It says, “it's a cop out” and “people will hate you for it.”  Instead of bringing veggies, Taco Bell is pushing its variety 12-pack tacos, complete with over 2,000 calories and 3,000 mg of sodium, not to mention its 42 grams of saturated fat. Granted, it’s meant to be shared, but veggie trays have little fat and sodium, just 25 calories per serving, and they taste great.
Please Tweet at Taco Bell and urge them to stop dissing healthy, nutritious vegetables.  And please do take a minute to share this with your friends and family and let them know about Taco Bell’s new shameful ad.
Model Tweet: Shame on @TacoBell for disparaging healthy vegetables in its Superbowl ad. High calorie, high fat tacos will not help you #LiveMás!
Sincerely,
Margo G. Wootan, D.Sc.Director, Nutrition Policy
Center for Science in the Public Interest

Weekend Reading

Reading

Mark Bittman wrote a thoughtful piece on how our government is subsidizing obesity - and I'd argue does so through the school lunch program at many schools as well.

The uproar over Coke's new obesity ads is something - if you haven't read anything about it yet, try this post - Coke Thinks You Are Stupid. Then, look back here to see the video - The Real Bears.

Food

It's already time to sign up for a CSA - the Golden Earthworm has applications online as does the Garden of Eve.

If you're still looking for a New Year's Resolution - check out the 100 Days of Real Food Pledge.

Action

Tell the FDA not to irradiate our food - read more, sign the petition.

What's for Lunch - Fri., 1/25

These are the "tenders" and the roll we're serving

Cup of Soup
All White Meat Chicken Tenders
Whole Grain Roll
Oven-Baked Long Island-Grown Potatoes
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Fresh Melon

The soup is hearty vegetable and looks quite good. INGREDIENTS: Water, Diced Tomatoes, Red Onions, Mushrooms, Zucchini Squash, Yellow Squash, Carrots, Cabbage, Green Beans, Broccoli, Celery, Cauliflower, Green Bell Peppers, Red Bell Peppers, Vegetable Base, Salt, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Oil, Yeast Extra

The chicken is a Tyson "fully cooked chicken breast nugget fritter with rib meat" with 10g of fat and 420mg of sodium.  The ingredients are: Boneless, skinless chicken breast nuggets with rib meat, water, modified food starch, sodium phosphates, salt. PREDUSTED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), wheat gluten, salt. BATTERED WITH: Water, enriched bleached wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), modified corn starch, salt, dextrose, spices, garlic powder, xanthan gum, oleoresin paprika and annatto. BREADED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), salt, spices, garlic powder, extractives of paprika, natural flavors (spice extractives). Breading set in vegetable oil.

I have no information about the potatoes except you probably don't need a giant roll and potatoes with your breaded chicken. Have some soup. Hit the salad bar. Enjoy some fresh melon.

What's for Lunch - Thurs., 1/24

BETTER-THAN-A-PIZZERIA
Whole Wheat Pizza Bagel with Meatballs (Order Entree #1)
or
Plain (Order Entree #2)
Caesar Salad
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Grab n’ Go Apple Slices

The bagel pizza is at least partially whole grain. The sauce is a Red Pack vitamin enhanced tomato sauce.  Here are the ingredients: Tomato Concentrate (Water, Tomato Paste), Sugar, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Onion Powder, Salt, Citric Acid, Spice, Garlic Powder, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Black Pepper, Vitamin E (DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Natural Flavor, Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate).

The meatballs are processed, cooked and frozen by Tyson from commodity beef and although we've improved the beef in our hamburgers  the same is true for the meatballs. Ingredients are: Ground beef (not more than 20% fat), water, bread crumbs (bleached wheat flour, salt, yeast, dextrose, and soybean oil), seasoning (salt, dehydrated onion, dehydrated celery, garlic powder, spices, soybean oil), tomato puree (tomatoes and citric acid), grated parmesan cheese [(cultured part-skim milk, salt and enzymes), cellulose powder, potassium sorbate], grated romano cheese made from cow's milk [(cultured pasteurized part-skim milk, salt and enzymes), cellulose powder, potassium sorbate].   They have 9g of fat (3 are saturated) and 450 mg of sodium.


Caesar is pictured above. Apple slices and other fresh vegetables.

What's for Lunch - Wed., 1/23

Talk to Your Kids about Fruits and Vegetables

GRILLED CHEESE 2 WAYS!
Whole Wheat Grilled Cheese (Order Entree #1)
OR
Cup of Soup with 1/2 Grilled Cheese (Order Entree #2)
Baked Sweet Potato Ridges
Orange Wedges

The grilled cheese sandwich is made with cheddar on whole wheat bread.  We use Nature's Own Whole Wheat Bread for these. The ingredients are: STONE GROUND WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, BROWN SUGAR, YEAST, WHEAT GLUTEN, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN OIL OR CANOLA OIL), DOUGH, CONDITIONERS (SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, CALCIUM, STEAROYL-2-LACTYLATE, MONOGLYCERIDES, CALCIUM IODATE, ETHOXYLATED MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, CALCIUM PEROXIDE, DATEM), CULTURED WHEAT FLOUR, VINEGAR, CALCIUM SULFATE, MONOCALCIUM, PHOSPHATE, YEAST FOOD (AMMONIUM SULFATE), SOY LECITHIN.

The soup is hearty vegetable and looks quite good. INGREDIENTS: Water, Diced Tomatoes, Red Onions, Mushrooms, Zucchini Squash, Yellow Squash, Carrots, Cabbage, Green Beans, Broccoli, Celery, Cauliflower, Green Bell Peppers, Red Bell Peppers, Vegetable Base, Salt, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Oil, Yeast Extra

I do not know what baked sweet potato ridges are. We can assume they are a frozen processed commodity food.  Our other products like this are from food service vendor McCain's "Harvest Splendor" line so I suspect these are the "Ridge Cut Wedges" -- i.e. fries.The ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following Oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn), Corn Starch - Modified. Contains 2% or less of Annatto (color), Beta Carotene (color), Caramel Color, Corn Starch, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Natural Flavor (Contains Wheat), Rice Flour, Salt, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Added To Maintain Natural Color, Sugar, Tapioca Dextrin, Xanthan Gum. They have 4.5g of fat (.5g saturated) and 125mg of sodium.

 

Fresh orange slices.  

Or - The Salad Bar is a great alternative - this is an actual lunch from our school!

What's for Lunch - Tues., 1/22

FAJITA BOWL
Brown Rice, Black Beans & Southwest-Style Chicken (Order Entree #1)
Corn Taco Bowl
w/Salsa/Lettuce/Cheese
OR
Rice & Black Bean Corn Taco Bowl (Order Entree #2)
Lettuce/Cheese/Salsa
Sweet Corn ~ Applesauce

Soup - Hearty Vegetable

The brown rice is a whole grain but rice has been found to contain significant amounts of arsenic  - so don't eat it every day and make sure you rinse it thoroughly multiple times and boil in extra water like you would pasta/ (Unfortunately, our cafeteria cannot take these extra steps.)

The black beans are canned and the ingredients are "BLACK BEANS, WATER, SALT, AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE" with 140mg of sodium. Cans do contain BPA.

The southwest-style chicken is a processed USDA commodity food from Tyson and described as "fully cooked boneless skinless chicken dark meat chicken fajita strips -smoke flavor added." Here are the ingredients: "Chicken dark meat, water, seasoning [salt, spices, dehydrated garlic, dehydrated onion, sugar, chili powder (chili pepper, cumin, oregano, salt, garlic powder), lemon juice powder (corn syrup solids, lemon juice, lemon oil), modified corn starch, natural mesquite smoke flavor (maltodextrin, natural smoke flavor), natural flavor (from partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil)], modified food starch and sodium phosphates."  The "partially hydrogenated" oil is a source of trans fat.  Chicken has 7g of fat (2 of which are saturated) and 490 mg of sodium.  Read more about farm animals raised by industrial giants like Tyson,  antibiotics and hormones.  I would skip the chicken.

 The bowl comes from Smokewood Foods. The ingredients are described just as "enriched masa flour" and they look like a big rectangular corn chip. They have 5g of fat and no sodium.

Cheese is Monterrey Jack. 

The corn is canned and has added salt - 200mg per serving and the cans do contain BPA.   Applesauce is a USDA commodity.

The soup is hearty vegetable and looks quite good. INGREDIENTS: Water, Diced Tomatoes, Red Onions, Mushrooms, Zucchini Squash, Yellow Squash, Carrots, Cabbage, Green Beans, Broccoli, Celery, Cauliflower, Green Bell Peppers, Red Bell Peppers, Vegetable Base, Salt, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Oil, Yeast Extra

What's for Lunch - Fri., 1/18

Our Pizza Bagels

MACARONI & CHEESE (Order Entree #1)
Barilla Plus Pasta with Wisconsin Cheddar
OR
Cup of Soup with Pizza Bagel (Order Entree #2)
Sauteed, Local Broccoli
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Grab n’ Go Apple Slices

The noodles we're using for the Mac n cheese are Barilla Plus. The ingredients are: Semolina, Grain and Legume Flour, Blend (Lentils, Chickpeas, Egg Whites, Spelt, Barley, Flaxseed, Oat Fiber, Oats), Durum Flour, Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid. The sauce is made from Wisconsin Cheddar.

The soup is Italian Wedding Soup. It has 7g of fat (2.5g saturated) and a whopping 920mg of sodium, The ingredients are:  Chicken Stock (Water, Chicken Base [Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor (Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil) Chicken Broth, Turmeric], Chicken Flavor [Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavor (Chicken Powder, Chicken Fat), Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Tocopherols]), Water, Meatballs (Pork, Beef, Eggs, Bread Crumbs [Unbleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Yeast], Water, Romano Cheese [Sheep's Milk, Rennet, Salt], Dehydrated Onions, Corn Syrup Solids, Salt, Natural Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Parsley, Spice), Spinach, Pasta (Wheat Flour, Water, Egg White, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Contains 2% or less of: Chicken (Chicken, Water, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Sodium Phosphate), Modified Corn Starch, Olive Oil, Nisin Preparation, Garlic In Oil (Garlic, Soybean Oil, Water, Citric Acid [Acidifying Agent]) and Spices.

The bagel pizza is at least partially whole grain. The sauce is a Red Pack vitamin enhanced tomato sauce.  Here are the ingredients: Tomato Concentrate (Water, Tomato Paste), Sugar, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Onion Powder, Salt, Citric Acid, Spice, Garlic Powder, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Black Pepper, Vitamin E (DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Natural Flavor, Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate).

The broccoli is fresh but more likely from California.

What's for Lunch - Thurs. 1/17

This Is Not Commodity Beef

TACO DAY!
Farm-Fresh Natural Beef Tacos with All the Toppings
Lettuce, Cheese, Salsa
OR
Cup of Soup
 w/1/2 Quesadilla
Salsa
Sweet Corn
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Strawberry-Yogurt Smoothie

Our district has contracted with a New York State farm to provide beef raised without antibiotics and hormones. It is more expensive and there is less beef on the menu as a result but it is a huge improvement in the quality of our lunches. We season and prepare this dish.

The hard taco shells from Mission foodservice contain: whole grain corn, water, vegetable oil (one or more of the following: cottonseed oil, corn oil or palm oil), contains 2% or less of niacin, reduced iron, thiamine, mononitrate, riboflavin lime. No sodium - 6g of fat (2 of which are saturated)

The soup is Italian Wedding Soup. It has 7g of fat (2.5g saturated) and a whopping 920mg of sodium, The ingredients are:  Chicken Stock (Water, Chicken Base [Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor (Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil) Chicken Broth, Turmeric], Chicken Flavor [Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavor (Chicken Powder, Chicken Fat), Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Tocopherols]), Water, Meatballs (Pork, Beef, Eggs, Bread Crumbs [Unbleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Yeast], Water, Romano Cheese [Sheep's Milk, Rennet, Salt], Dehydrated Onions, Corn Syrup Solids, Salt, Natural Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Parsley, Spice), Spinach, Pasta (Wheat Flour, Water, Egg White, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Contains 2% or less of: Chicken (Chicken, Water, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Sodium Phosphate), Modified Corn Starch, Olive Oil, Nisin Preparation, Garlic In Oil (Garlic, Soybean Oil, Water, Citric Acid [Acidifying Agent]) and Spices.

The quesadilla has Monterrey Jack cheese and canned black beans served in a flour tortilla - no whole grains. The tortillas are from Tyson and contain:  Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Contains one or more of the following: Cottonseed Oil, Soybean Oil), Mono- and Diglycerides, Contains 2% or less of the following: Salt, Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate), Fumaric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Dough Conditioner (Wheat Flour, Calcium Sulfate, Sorbic Acid), Preservative (Sodium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate).  Sodium is 380mg. 5g of fat (1 of which is saturated).

The corn is canned and has added salt - 200mg per serving and the cans do contain BPA.

The smoothie  will be made with plain yogurt to which we add  honey plus 1% milk and strawberries. The food service department says the strawberries are fresh -- we previously used frozen and have asked about the country of origin (Frozen Chinese strawberries sickened thousands of German school children earlier this year). Our fresh strawberries are from California.

Apple Week was Terrific!

This week, we gave out over 400 fresh, delicious Washington State Red Delicious apples. Available in the office, students dropped by over the past three days to pick one (or more!) up for snacks. Any thoughts? Please post a comment below.

What's for Lunch - Wed., 1/16

HOMEMADE CUTLETS!
Freshly-Breaded Chicken (Order Entree #1)
OR
Cup of Soup (Order Entree #2)
w/Smoked Turkey Wrap
Baked Sweet Potato Crinkle “Fries”
Fresh NY State Pear

Foe the cutlet, we use a USDA chikcen processed from Tyson.

he soup is Italian Wedding Soup. It has 7g of fat (2.5g saturated) and a whopping 920mg of sodium, The ingredients are:  Chicken Stock (Water, Chicken Base [Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor (Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil) Chicken Broth, Turmeric], Chicken Flavor [Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavor (Chicken Powder, Chicken Fat), Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Tocopherols]), Water, Meatballs (Pork, Beef, Eggs, Bread Crumbs [Unbleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Yeast], Water, Romano Cheese [Sheep's Milk, Rennet, Salt], Dehydrated Onions, Corn Syrup Solids, Salt, Natural Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Parsley, Spice), Spinach, Pasta (Wheat Flour, Water, Egg White, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Contains 2% or less of: Chicken (Chicken, Water, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Sodium Phosphate), Modified Corn Starch, Olive Oil, Nisin Preparation, Garlic In Oil (Garlic, Soybean Oil, Water, Citric Acid [Acidifying Agent]) and Spices.

Turkey is Boar's Head. 

The "fries" are firies. The Crinkles are the french fry version of the sweet potato tater tots shown above with 190mg of sodium and 7g of fat (one is saturated). The ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following Oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn), Corn Starch - Modified. Contains 2% or less of Annatto (color), Beta Carotene (color), Caramel Color, Corn Starch, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Natural Flavor (Contains Wheat), Rice Flour, Salt, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Added To Maintain Natural Color, Sugar, Tapioca Dextrin, Xanthan Gum.

Fresh pear. Like yesterday.  

What's for Lunch - Tues., 1/15

Italian Wedding Soup is the Soup of the Week

Cup of Soup
APPLEGATE HOTDOG  (Order Entree #1)
Whole Wheat Bun
OR
Whole Wheat Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Order Entree #2)
Cucumbers & Peppers with Dip
Fresh NY State Pear

The soup is Italian Wedding Soup. It has 7g of fat (2.5g saturated) and a whopping 920mg of sodium, The ingredients are:  Chicken Stock (Water, Chicken Base [Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor (Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil) Chicken Broth, Turmeric], Chicken Flavor [Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavor (Chicken Powder, Chicken Fat), Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Tocopherols]), Water, Meatballs (Pork, Beef, Eggs, Bread Crumbs [Unbleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Yeast], Water, Romano Cheese [Sheep's Milk, Rennet, Salt], Dehydrated Onions, Corn Syrup Solids, Salt, Natural Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Parsley, Spice), Spinach, Pasta (Wheat Flour, Water, Egg White, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Contains 2% or less of: Chicken (Chicken, Water, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Sodium Phosphate), Modified Corn Starch, Olive Oil, Nisin Preparation, Garlic In Oil (Garlic, Soybean Oil, Water, Citric Acid [Acidifying Agent]) and Spices.

The hot dogs are from Applegate Farms - so they are far better than many hot dogs but are hot dogs nonetheless. They have 8g of fat and 330mg of sodium. The ingredients are just: beef, water, sea salt, less than 2% of the following: celery juice, sodium lactate (from beets), lactic acid starter culture (not from milk), onion powder, spices, garlic powder, paprika. They have 6g of fat(2.5g saturated) and 380 mg of sodium. They are dairy-, casein- and gluten-free. They promote it as nitrate-free but this NYT article indicates the nitrate issue is tricky - and cites the company saying their bacon has the same level (naturally) of cancer-causing nitrates as conventional brands.  You may also not want your kids growing up thinking hot dogs are a good lunch given the potential link between processed meats and cancer. The bun is whole wheat. 

The grilled cheese sandwich is made with cheddar or American on whole wheat bread.  We use Nature's Own Whole Wheat Bread for these. The ingredients are: STONE GROUND WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, BROWN SUGAR, YEAST, WHEAT GLUTEN, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN OIL OR CANOLA OIL), DOUGH, CONDITIONERS (SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, CALCIUM, STEAROYL-2-LACTYLATE, MONOGLYCERIDES, CALCIUM IODATE, ETHOXYLATED MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, CALCIUM PEROXIDE, DATEM), CULTURED WHEAT FLOUR, VINEGAR, CALCIUM SULFATE, MONOCALCIUM, PHOSPHATE, YEAST FOOD (AMMONIUM SULFATE), SOY LECITHIN.

Fresh cucumbers and peppers with a full-fat organic ranch dressing for the dip. We serve a lot fo these two vegetables because they are kid-friendly but they are also notoriously high in pesticide residue. The Environmental Working Group recommends you buy organic for these vegetables in particular - but we can't do that with a $3 lunch. 

Fresh pear. 

What's for Lunch - Fri., 1/11

Chili con Kasha from Sample Day at Our School

CHILI CON KASHA  (Order Entree #1)
Toppings YOUR Way
(Cheese/Sour Cream)
OR
Cup of Soup w/1/2 Quesadilla (Order Entree #2)
Brown Rice
Carrot Crunchers with Dip
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Raisin Box

An Exciting Day for Lunch!

Back in November, our students had a chance to try chili con kasha on sample day. Click here for the ingredients, recipe and pictures from that event.  The vast majority of students who tried it liked it, and they can choose their own toppings.

If they go for the second entree, the soup is broccoli cheddar.  The ingredients are: Chicken Stock (Water, Chicken Base [Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor (Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil), Chicken Broth, Turmeric]), Broccoli, Light Cream, Water, Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annato, Powdered Cellulose [To Prevent Caking]), Contains 2% or less of: Butter (Cream, Salt), Modified Food Starch, Wheat Flour, Carrots, Hot Pepper Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt) and Spice.  Plus - 850 mg of sodium and 19g of fat -- 11g of which are saturated.

The quesadilla has Monterrey Jack cheese and canned black beans served in a flour tortilla - no whole grains. The tortillas are from Tyson and contain:  Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Contains one or more of the following: Cottonseed Oil, Soybean Oil), Mono- and Diglycerides, Contains 2% or less of the following: Salt, Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate), Fumaric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Dough Conditioner (Wheat Flour, Calcium Sulfate, Sorbic Acid), Preservative (Sodium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate).  Sodium is 380mg. 5g of fat (1 of which is saturated).

The black beans are canned and the ingredients are "BLACK BEANS, WATER, SALT, AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE" with 140mg of sodium.

Brown rice is a whole grain but as Consumer Reports recently reported, needs to be rinsed repeatedly and boild in excess water to remove the excessive arsenic now in rice. Unfortunately, our cafeteria is not set up to take these steps.

Carrrots are fresh but not organic-  but the (full-fat) ranch dressing they are served with is,

Raisins are domestic.

What's for Lunch - Thurs., 1/10

BETTER-THAN-A-PIZZERIA
Thin Crust Pizza BBQ Chicken (Order Entree #1)
OR
Cup of Soup with Plain Slice (Order Entree #2)
Caesar Salad
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Pineapple in Fruit Juice

The pizza sauce (from Red Pack) ingredients are: Tomato concentrate (water, tomato paste), salt, citric acid, basil.

For the crust, the ingredients are: enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, barley malt, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, yeast, soybean oil,, dextrose, salt, calcium propionate, fumaric acid, dough conditioner (wheat flour, salt, soybean oil, l-gyssteine, ascorbic acid, enzyme) potassium sorbate.

The chicken is some kind of frozen Tyson product.I've seen labels recently for everything from dark meat with added soy to something called a "tenderloin fritter". So, I would vote fo rthe plain slice today except for the soup it comes with......

For the soup -  the ingredients are: Chicken Stock (Water, Chicken Base [Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor (Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil), Chicken Broth, Turmeric]), Broccoli, Light Cream, Water, Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annato, Powdered Cellulose [To Prevent Caking]), Contains 2% or less of: Butter (Cream, Salt), Modified Food Starch, Wheat Flour, Carrots, Hot Pepper Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt) and Spice.  Plus - 850 mg of sodium and 19g of fat -- 11g of which are saturated.

Caesar salad and other veggie sides are fresh options.  Pineapple is canned, packed in juice and is a product of Thailand. 

What's for Lunch - Wed., 1/9

Today's Lunch

Cup of Soup
All White Meat Chicken Tenders
Whole Grain Roll
Sweet Potato Crinkles
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Strawberry-Grape Cup

For the broccoli cheddar soup -  the ingredients are: Chicken Stock (Water, Chicken Base [Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor (Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil), Chicken Broth, Turmeric]), Broccoli, Light Cream, Water, Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annato, Powdered Cellulose [To Prevent Caking]), Contains 2% or less of: Butter (Cream, Salt), Modified Food Starch, Wheat Flour, Carrots, Hot Pepper Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt) and Spice.  Plus - 850 mg of sodium and 19g of fat -- 11g of which are saturated.

Tenders -- in other words, nuggets. The chicken is from Tyson. The ingredients are: Chicken breast tenderloins, water, modified food starch, sodium phosphates, salt. PREDUSTED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), wheat gluten, salt. BATTERED WITH: Water, enriched bleached wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), modified corn starch, salt, dextrose, spices, garlic powder, xanthan gum, oleoresin paprika and annatto. BREADED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), salt, spices, garlic powder, extractives of paprika, natural flavors (spice extractives). Breading set in vegetable oil.  The serving size of two pieces - which is what elementary students get - has 14g of fat and 580mg of sodium.

Whole grain roll - which may be partial vs fully whole grain.

The Crinkles are the french fry version of the sweet potato tater tots shown above with 190mg of sodium and 7g of fat (one is saturated). The ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following Oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn), Corn Starch - Modified. Contains 2% or less of Annatto (color), Beta Carotene (color), Caramel Color, Corn Starch, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Natural Flavor (Contains Wheat), Rice Flour, Salt, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Added To Maintain Natural Color, Sugar, Tapioca Dextrin, Xanthan Gum.

Fruit is fresh and domestic but not of course organic. 

What's for Lunch - Tues., 1/8

Today's Lunch - without the fresh fruit

BRUNCH FOR LUNCH
Cinnamon Challah French Toast
OR
Fresh Oatmeal with Toppings
Raisin Box ~ Brown Sugar
Applegate® Turkey Bacon
Potato Puffs -Apple Crisp

Say "No" to meal declared to be "cake" for lunch by our committee's nutritionist - basically white flour bread.  The syrup is basically HFCS.  They are looking for an affordable maple syrup but do not have one yet - but they will be limiting the serving size this year in the meantime.  Actual lunch from our schools above. This meal has a lot of sugar, simple carbohydrates -- no whole grains.


Oatmeal though is a whole grain and hopefully there will be some limit on the added sugar.


Then there are the commodity potatoes processed by McCain's into tater tots -- although they are labeled "frozen pre-formed potato rounds."  They have 7g of fat (one of which is saturated) and 190mg of sodium. Ingredients are: potatoes, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following oils: canola, soybean, cottonseed, sunflower, corn). Contains 2% or less of dextrose, salt, sodium acid pyrophosphate added to maintain natural color.

The turkey bacon is by Applegate.  Here are the ingredients: Turkey (Turkey Used Never Administered Antibiotics, Growth Promotants or Animal By-products), Water, Sea Salt, Maple Sugar, Celery Juice, Onion Powder, Spices, Lactic Acid Starter Culture (not From Milk.)  They promote it as nitrate-free but this NYT article indicates otherwise - and cites the company saying their products have the same level (naturally) of cancer-causing nitrates as conventional brands. Read more about nitrates here.

Raisins are domestic. Apple crisp is a dessert.

There's really nothing fresh or healthy in this meal. Get the salad bar:

Or Choose This Lunch

What's for Lunch - Mon., 1/7

MEATBALL PARMIGIANA
Whole Grain Roll
OR
Cup of Soup
Whole Wheat Penne “Marinara” with Mozzarella Stick
Sweet Corn
Orange Rounds

For the meatball, parmigiana, unlike our hamburgers, this "beef" is from Tyson and  is a USDA commodity product (although we were allowed to opt-out of the "pink slime" meat the USDA used to ship.)  The meatballs are processed, cooked and frozen by Tyson from commodity beef.  Ingredients are: Ground beef (not more than 20% fat), water, bread crumbs (bleached wheat flour, salt, yeast, dextrose, and soybean oil), seasoning (salt, dehydrated onion, dehydrated celery, garlic powder, spices, soybean oil), tomato puree (tomatoes and citric acid), grated parmesan cheese [(cultured part-skim milk, salt and enzymes), cellulose powder, potassium sorbate], grated romano cheese made from cow's milk [(cultured pasteurized part-skim milk, salt and enzymes), cellulose powder, potassium sorbate].   They have 9g of fat (3 are saturated) and 450 mg of sodium.

The sauce is a Red Pack vitamin enhanced tomato sauce.  Here are the ingredients: Tomato Concentrate (Water, Tomato Paste), Sugar, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Onion Powder, Salt, Citric Acid, Spice, Garlic Powder, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Black Pepper, Vitamin E (DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Natural Flavor, Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate).  The cheese is a USDA commodity part skim mozzarella.  Ingredients are cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes. The sodium is 240mg/oz.

The penne is whole grain and the mozzarella stick is part skim.

For the soup -  the ingredients are: Chicken Stock (Water, Chicken Base [Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor (Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil), Chicken Broth, Turmeric]), Broccoli, Light Cream, Water, Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annato, Powdered Cellulose [To Prevent Caking]), Contains 2% or less of: Butter (Cream, Salt), Modified Food Starch, Wheat Flour, Carrots, Hot Pepper Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt) and Spice.  Plus - 850 mg of sodium and 19g of fat -- 11g of which are saturated.

The corn is canned and has added salt - 200mg per serving and the cans do contain BPA.

Fresh oranges

This sounds like a good day to go for the salad bar.

What's for Lunch - Fri., 1/4

BETTER-THAN-A-PIZZERIA
Cup of Soup
Thin Crust Pizza with Fresh Sauce
Fresh & Crisp Zucchini Strips
Pears in Fruit Juices

The pizza sauce (from Red Pack) ingredients are: Tomato concentrate (water, tomato paste), salt, citric acid, basil.

For the crust, the ingredients are: enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, barley malt, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, yeast, soybean oil,, dextrose, salt, calcium propionate, fumaric acid, dough conditioner (wheat flour, salt, soybean oil, l-gyssteine, ascorbic acid, enzyme) potassium sorbate.

The soup this week is chicken noodle. It has 3g of fat (1g saturated) and it's quite salty - 670mg of sodium. The ingredients are: Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken (Chicken, Water, Modified Food Starch, Salt), Carrots, Pasta (Wheat, Eggs, Egg Whites, Niacin, Iron [Ferrous Sulfate], Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Celery, Onions, Contains 2% or less of: Chicken Base (Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor [Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil], Chicken Broth, Turmeric), Chicken Flavor (Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavor [Chicken Powder, Chicken Fat], Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Tocopherols), Chicken Fat, Olive Oil, Parsley, Acacia & Xanthan Gum, Garlic, Turmeric, Nisin Preparation and Spices.
Contains: Wheat and Egg.

Fresh zucchini and canned pears.

What's for Lunch - Thurs., 1/3

CHICKEN PARMIGIANA (Order Entree #1)
Whole Grain Roll
OR
Cup of Soup (Order Entree #2)
1/2 Chicken Caesar Wrap
Sweet Corn
More Salad Bar Veggie Sides
Fresh Grapes

For the chicken, the sauce is a Red Pack vitamin enhanced tomato sauce. The sodium at 140mg is much lower than we previously used.  Here are the ingredients: Tomato Concentrate (Water, Tomato Paste), Sugar, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Onion Powder, Salt, Citric Acid, Spice, Garlic Powder, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Black Pepper, Vitamin E (DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Natural Flavor, Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate).

The chicken itself is a pre-cooked breaded Tyson chicken product. The ingredients are: Boneless, skinless chicken breast filets with rib meat, water, modified food starch, sodium phosphates, salt. PREDUSTED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), wheat gluten, salt. BATTERED WITH: Water, enriched bleached wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), modified corn starch, salt, dextrose, spices, garlic powder, xanthan gum, oleoresin paprika and annatto. BREADED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), salt, spices, garlic powder, extractives of paprika, natural flavors (spice extractives). Breading set in vegetable oil.  Their serving size has 10g of fat (2 of which are saturated) and 620 mg of sodium.

The roll is at least partially whole grain.


The soup this week is chicken noodle. It has 3g of fat (1g saturated) and it's quite salty - 670mg of sodium. The ingredients are: Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken (Chicken, Water, Modified Food Starch, Salt), Carrots, Pasta (Wheat, Eggs, Egg Whites, Niacin, Iron [Ferrous Sulfate], Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Celery, Onions, Contains 2% or less of: Chicken Base (Chicken, Salt, Rendered Chicken Fat, Dextrose, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Roast Chicken Flavor [Rendered Chicken Fat, Flavor, Safflower Oil], Chicken Broth, Turmeric), Chicken Flavor (Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavor [Chicken Powder, Chicken Fat], Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Tocopherols), Chicken Fat, Olive Oil, Parsley, Acacia & Xanthan Gum, Garlic, Turmeric, Nisin Preparation and Spices.
Contains: Wheat and Egg.

The chicken caesar wrap is also made with Tyson chicken and the wrap is not whole grain.

The corn is canned and has added salt - 200mg per serving and the cans do contain BPA. 

Fresh (domestic) grapes and other fresh fruits and vegetables from the salad bar.

What's for Lunch - Wed., 1/2

GRILLED CHEESE 2 WAYS!
Whole Wheat Grilled Cheese (Order Entree #1)
OR
Cup of Soup (Order Entree #2)
1/2 Grilled Cheese
Baked Sweet Potato Ridges

NO SALAD BAR TODAY

So, we're a little light on the fresh fruits and vegetables coming back from a long break.

The grilled cheese sandwich is made with cheddar on whole wheat bread.  We use Nature's Own Whole Wheat Bread for these. The ingredients are: STONE GROUND WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, BROWN SUGAR, YEAST, WHEAT GLUTEN, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN OIL OR CANOLA OIL), DOUGH, CONDITIONERS (SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, CALCIUM, STEAROYL-2-LACTYLATE, MONOGLYCERIDES, CALCIUM IODATE, ETHOXYLATED MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, CALCIUM PEROXIDE, DATEM), CULTURED WHEAT FLOUR, VINEGAR, CALCIUM SULFATE, MONOCALCIUM, PHOSPHATE, YEAST FOOD (AMMONIUM SULFATE), SOY LECITHIN.

We serve a variety of soups. Please note that the broccoli and cheese soup at least does contain chicken stock and rendered chicken fat.  The lentil soup is vegetarian. It looks like we may also have served a turkey soup, a roasted vegetable soup and Italian wedding soup.

I do not know what baked sweet potato ridges are. We can assume they are a frozen processed commodity food.  Our other products like this are from food service vendor McCain's "Harvest Splendor" line so I suspect these are the "Ridge Cut Wedges" -- i.e. fries.The ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following Oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn), Corn Starch - Modified. Contains 2% or less of Annatto (color), Beta Carotene (color), Caramel Color, Corn Starch, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Natural Flavor (Contains Wheat), Rice Flour, Salt, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Added To Maintain Natural Color, Sugar, Tapioca Dextrin, Xanthan Gum. They have 4.5g of fat (.5g saturated) and 125mg of sodium.