Food Service / Nutrition

Contact: Thomas Neace Food Service Director

Perry County schools offer the following food service programs to participants

• National school lunch program
• School breakfast program
• Fresh fruit and veggie program
• After school snack program
• Child and adult care food program
• Summer food service program
  

It is very important for students and parents to understand the importance of school meals, both breakfast and lunch. Studies have shown that eating a balanced breakfast at school helps children learn, have sharper memory, have better cognition, stay focused and behaved, and have higher testing scores. School lunch provides at least two servings of fruits and vegetables. There are federal laws in place that requires servings that are age-appropriate and prohibits the sale of soda during lunch. A variety of fat-free milk choices, 100% Fruit Juice, and water are available to drink at meals. School meals offer a variety of foods each day, which will help children to get nutrients needed from each food group. This will also help children develop a taste for several different types of food. As parents, you can also work to provide and develop healthy eating habits at home. Other things to live by include the 5-2-1-0 Campaign, five or more fruits and vegetables, two hours or less screen time, one hour or more physical activity, and zero sugary drinks each day. These four behaviors can help to reduce childhood obesity, which has nearly tripled in the past three decades. Childhood obesity puts children at risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, sleep disturbances, and depression. See links for more information on nutrition and physical activity resources.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2)  fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3)  email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider