Historically, the School Lunch Program was founded to help meet the nutritional needs of school children. The program has grown and now educators recognize it as a vital part of education. As society continues to see the need to recognize the "total child", the school lunch program becomes increasingly more important. A child learns to eat a great variety of foods, in many instances being introduced to new foods; he learns social graces which are a part of an educated person's make-up; and the pleasant break in the middle of the day enables the child to return to the classroom refreshed mentally and his body fortified nutritionally; thus making him better able to receive the teacher's instruction. Studies show that the child who is a behavior problem and also a poor achiever is one who very often has not had an adequate breakfast nor is he eating a well balanced lunch at school.
Recognizing these values of the school lunch program, it is necessary to employ lunchroom personnel who meet certain requirements. After all health requirements are established, the worker must have, just as a good teacher must have, a love for children and a pride in their work.
Just as a teacher does not enter the classroom without some preparation and a plan, so the lunchroom must have organization. Each worker must know what their job is and must be willing to accept direction from the manager, who is the person responsible for the operation of the lunchroom. These two requirements are necessary for the smooth operation of a quality food service.
Just as a good classroom teacher continues their education in an effort to improve their teaching ability, so it is important for a good lunchroom "teacher" to be ever aware of new foods, new equipment, new recipes and new methods.
When the time comes that the classroom teacher and the lunchroom "teacher" see that they have a common goal -- to prepare a child for the future, both in mind and body -- the children of this and each succeeding generation will be healthier and more valuable to society.
Nutrition and Physical Activity Report 2012-2013
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