Basic Nutrition
As a participant in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, the Lehighton Area School District provides a well-balanced, nutritious breakfast and lunch, supplying at least two-thirds of a child’s daily nutritional requirements. If a student has a food allergy, parents should contact the school nurse, who will notify the cafeteria manager.
School breakfast and lunch menus are sent home with students monthly. Menus are also displayed in the cafeteria as well as posted on the District’s web site.
Any questions regarding the lunch program should be directed to Nicole Hayes, Director of Food Services, at (610) 377-6180 ext. 4012 or e-mail at nhayes@lehighton.org.
Let’s Break for Lunch
A school lunch (regardless of grade level) will typically include the following five items (meal components):
- Protein (meat or meat alternate)
- Bread or grain
- Fruit
- Vegetable
- Choice of milk
A student may choose any three, four or five of the above items. food service employees are not permitted to place all five-meal components on the tray unless the student requests all five components.
At the elementary schools, a typical lunch will consist of a hot entree, bread or grain, hot vegetable or salad, canned fruit or whole fresh fruit, and milk. A student may choose any three, four or all five of the components as their lunch selection.
At the secondary schools, the food court format provides all five meal components at each station. The pizza (Trattoria) station, for example, offers a pizza slice (which counts as a bread, protein and vegetable) or hot pocket, fresh fruit choice or tossed salad, plus milk. The Fresh Grille station includes hot sandwich selections (bread and protein) plus a tossed salad, fresh fruit, and milk. All other stations offer all five components as well. As with the elementary schools, a student may select three, four or all five components as part of their lunch selection.
Healthy Choices for Lehighton Area School District Students
Food Services has instituted standards for Balanced Choice meals to allow students to select menu options that meet the following criteria:
- Less than 30% of calories are from fat
- Less than 10% of the fat content is saturated fat
- Less than 90 mg of sodium
- Less than 90 mg of cholesterol
- Incorporates a full serving of a vegetable
The district wants students to have the option of making healthier food choices without sacrificing good taste. It is easy for students to identify menu items marked with the green and blue Balanced Choice logo:
In secondary schools, the daily Sandwich Central "specials" meet the Balanced Choice criteria as do the Fresh Grille "specials" on Tuesdays and Fridays. Fresh fruits are offered daily at every food court station along with multi grain rolls and low-fat milk.
In our elementary schools, low-fat milks and whole fresh fruits are available daily. Lunch meats and hot dogs are turkey-based to reduce fat content and menu selections are oven-baked or steamed.
Mealtime should be fun and delicious, built around high-quality foods and fresh ingredients that energize and satisfy students. At the Lehighton Area School District the dedicated food service workers provide a well-balanced selection of meals, snacks and beverages that help establish the foundation for a healthier life.
Our passion for good food isn’t limited to the cafeteria. We know the lessons learned in school will guide a child throughout their lifetime. So together with a balanced, delicious meal, we also offer an exciting range of educational tools that help your students make wise, informed decisions. Eat. Learn. Love is the foundation of all that we do in school food service education.