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Free-meal program boosts participation; nutrition staff outline dye, sodium and equipment plans
Summary
Nutrition services reported a 91% increase in breakfast participation and a 33% increase in lunch since the free-meal program began; USDA/Minnesota Department of Education audit prompted smart-snack compliance work, staff are removing synthetic dyes and planning sodium-reduction changes and equipment replacements.
Wendy Cole, the district’s nutrition services supervisor, told the board the free school meal program has substantially increased participation and stabilized funding streams. Using September 2022 as a base year, Cole said breakfast participation rose 91% and lunch participation rose 33% since the program’s start.
Cole explained the district underwent a dual USDA and Minnesota Department of Education audit and that auditors raised smart-snack regulation compliance…
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