New school lunch guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have kicked in, and Lubbock ISD hasn't wasted any time in restocking the cafeteria.
Some specific changes to the menu include adding more whole grains to recipes and offering flavored milk in only fat-free or skim. About 65 percent of students in LISD are on a free and reduced lunch program, and are required to take at least one half of a cup of a fruit or vegetable in every meal.
Certain grades will also be introduced to a new fruit or vegetable each week. This week, it's blueberries.
"They will learn about blueberries and the nutrition, and they do some fun activities that even tie into other curriculum areas with information about blueberries," Said LISD spokeswoman Nancy Sharp. "Then kids get an opportunity to try that fruit, hoping that when they are trying that in a setting with their peers, and it's fun, that maybe they will be a little more adventurous when they have that kind of fruit or vegetable introduced in the lunch room."
In addition to healthier lunches, LISD will also begin phasing in the breakfast program next year.
