School menus are quite different from the rest of the types of menus. They have different outlooks, layouts, designs, different users, and different purposes. Unlike other types of menus, school menus have to be followed by the kids no matter what their preferences and favorite foods are. They might turn up their nose while eating what has been on the school menu but still they have to follow the menu. The difference between school menus and other types of menus is that children cannot choose from a wide variety of food items available according to their desires whereas other menus provide diners with a wide variety to choose from without any restrictions or limitations. School menus are designed by the school administration keeping in view the children’s health and nutrition. School administration strictly follows the regulations provided by the state and federal government to ensure that the food prepared is up to the standards. Many other tools are also available for planning school menus. These include nutritional calculators and guidebooks for planning menus and others.
School menus are divided into different sections depending upon the level of children.
- Elementary school breakfast menu
- Elementary school lunch menu
- Middle school lunch menu
- High school lunch menu
School menus are usually made by taking input from a chef, dietician, and parents. This diversified opinion from different stakeholders is crucial for a workable school menu. School menus are designed such as to best fulfill the nutritional requirements of children who are growing. Because children are the assets of any nation so investing in their proper diet today will result in a successful nation tomorrow. This is the major reason behind stringent actions taken by governments all over the world.
Here are previews and download link of a Free Printable Weekly School Menu Templates created using MS Word,
Usage of Weekly School Menus
Proper guidelines and regulations are present in the legislation worldwide to be followed by school owners. Those failing to achieve the appropriate diet plan for children can be sued for negligence. This in turn can lead to decisive action against the school administration. Either a heavy fine will be imposed on the school or in extreme circumstances closure of school can also be the outcome. Now schools are aware of the consequences of not following government regulations. So instead of damaging their reputation, they take up this task seriously and take input from all the necessary sources to develop a full fledge school menu.
Menu planning software and nutrient analysis software are available to make this task of planning easier. This software is available online free of cost and can be downloaded. But this task can also be outsourced to specialized firms. Every necessary detail can be given to them and they make a school menu. School menus can be revised every month or every week.
Minimal changes can be brought to the menu according to the season and change in guidelines by the government. Schools should cut on carbohydrates, sugar, fat, and sodium and add in more healthy ingredients like fresh fruits, juices, dairy, and whole grains. The intake of such food not only reduces obesity problems but also decreases the risk of other medical problems closely associated with obesity.