Nutrition Guidelines

School Lunch Guidelines

Calorie Ranges

K-5: 550-650 calories

K-8: 600-650 calories

6-8: 600-700 calories

9-12: 750-850 calories

Saturated Fat

(% of total Calories)

< 10%
for each Grade Group

Trans Fat

0
grams per serving

Sodium

K-5: <1230

6-8: <1360

9-12: <1420

Vegetable Subgroups

Dark Green (Romaine, Spinach), Red/Orange (Tomatoes, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes), Beans/Peas (Black Beans, Chickpeas), Starchy (Corn, Potatoes) & Other (Celery, Cucumbers) must be served in specific portion sizes each week

Breakfast Program Guidelines

Calorie Ranges

K-5: 350-500 calories

6-8: 400-550 calories

9-12: 450-600 calories

Saturated Fat

(% of total Calories)

< 10%
for each Grade Group

Trans Fat

0
grams per serving

Sodium

K-5: <540

6-8: <600

9-12: <640

For Both Breakfast and Lunch

Dairy: Milk must be 1% unflavored, fat free flavored or unflavored

Grains: All grains served in schools must be 51% whole grain rich (waiver option)

Fruit: No more than 50% of fruit offerings may be 100% Juice

Additional Pre-K Meal Pattern Considerations

Sugar Limits

Cereals: 6 grams (g) or less per dry oz.

Yogurt: 23 grams (g) or less per 6 oz. 

Family Style Meal Service

Students must select at least a 1/4 cup of fruit or vegetable

If co-mingled Students must select at least a 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetable when following the K-5 meal pattern

Minimum serving size of each item or component must be offered to each student over the course of the meal.

Smart Snack Standards

To qualify as a Smart Snack the item must:

Be a grain product that contains 50 percent or more whole grains by weight (have a whole grain as the first ingredient); or

Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or

Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; and

The food must meet the nutrient standards for calories, sodium, sugar and fats:

Calories: 200 calories or less 

Sodium: 200 mg or less

Total Fat: 35% of calories or less

Saturated Fat: Less than 10% of calories 

Trans Fat: 0 g 

Sugar: 35% by weight or less