| FOOD AND NUTRITION
Unity School is committed to providing an environment in which students can make healthy food choices that support academic success and lifelong health. This policy is effective during the school day.
Lunch
All students eat at school and must remain on campus. Lunch may be ordered by all children in their classrooms before 8:50 a.m. each morning or brought in from home. Lunch periods are approximately 40 minutes in duration including recess. No student is permitted to order lunch delivered to the school or request that a parent deliver food. If a student does not have lunch, a lunch will be ordered for him or her from the school cafeteria.
Cafeteria
Lunch is offered daily and is freshly prepared and served in the cafeteria. Lunch consists of a choice of one entrée or a specialty salad meal. Each purchased lunch includes the appropriate side dishes including a fresh vegetable, fresh fruit, and a beverage. Pizza lunch is every Wednesday. A peanut butter, peanut butter and jelly, cheese sandwich, and a veggie burger meal are also available every day. The menus are planned so that they are not only child friendly, but also are nutritionally balanced. Food is prepared from scratch using healthy cooking techniques. The menu is located on the school’s website and at www.unityschool.nutrislice.com throughout the year. Plain water and low-fat milk are the only beverages permitted for snack or lunch at Unity School. A choice of one of these beverages is offered with each purchased meal. Juice, soda, caffeinated and flavored waters/beverages are NOT permitted. Those who would like an additional beverage with lunch or those who bring lunch from home can purchase a beverage. A super-size meal (which is a larger sized entrée) is also available. Lunches are billed monthly.
Home-Bagged Lunch and Snacks
Bag lunches and snacks should make a positive contribution to the student’s diet and health. Lunches brought in from home should be healthy and nutritious. Any lunch brought from home must not require cooking or heating. If there is a special dietary need, the student is responsible for bringing his/her own lunch. Students in grades K-5 are encouraged to bring a nutritious snack. All bag lunches and snacks brought in from home must adhere to Unity School’s Wellness Policy. https://unityschool.com/discover-unity/food-service/
Plain water and low-fat milk are the only beverages permitted in bagged lunches and for snack at Unity School. Juice, soda, caffeinated and flavored waters/beverages are NOT permitted
Candy is prohibited. Chocolate as a main ingredient is prohibited.
Preschool Snacks and Party Food
A healthy snack is served each morning to Toddler, Orientation and Preschool students.
No Classroom snack and party food may be served if they are prepared in a home. Classrooms snacks must adhere to the Wellness Policy Guidelines and be prepared, packaged, and purchased from a store or food facility that is inspected by the Department of Health. This type of facility would include, Publix, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Wal-Mart, Target, Trader Joes, etc. All items must be brought in their original packaging.
Sharing of food and beverages:
Students are not permitted to share their foods and beverages with one another during meals or snack time, given concerns about allergies, sharing of pathogenic illnesses, and other restrictions with some children’s diets.
Classroom celebrations:
Birthdays
Birthday celebrations are honored without the service of food. Children will not be disappointed if typical party foods are not served in the classroom. Treats and traditional birthday cake will still be available at home
Rewards
Food and beverages should not be used as rewards for academic performance or good behavior and will not be withheld as a punishment.
Food and Beverage – Nutrient Standards and Guidelines
*Food of minimal nutritional value should not be given away, sold, or used as incentives for students or student activities during the school day except for peppermint, which has been documented to enhance memory.
*No candy or chewing gum
*No red and blue dye in any products.
*Water and milk are the only permitted beverages.
*Chocolate is not permitted to be the main ingredient; carob is an acceptable substitute.
*A packaged snack should not exceed 250 calories.
*No more than 30% of total calories from fat, and no more than 10% of total calories from saturated fat, including trans fat. (Nuts, seeds, milk, and dairy products are exempt from this standard.)
*No more than 35% added sugar by weight (not including fruits and vegetables and when they are used as ingredients)No more than 400-600 mg sodium per serving
*Serve whole grain products at least half of the time.
*Snacks and sweets not to exceed 1.5 oz.
*Cookies, muffins, and cereal bars not to exceed 3 oz.
*Frozen desserts or ice cream not to exceed 4 oz. No sweetened water ices such as “…sicles” unless products contain 100% fruit or fruit juice.
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