Partnership
School Lunch Nutrition Guidelines
Lunches that Inspire and Support the Child at School
Austin Montessori School recognizes the importance of healthy nutrition for children. Our policy is intended to clarify which foods are acceptable to bring to school, and those that are best kept for home and other settings. Children often do not require large amounts of food, so we want to ensure that what they do eat is wholesome, organic (if possible), as “close to the vine” as possible, and enticing. We also want children to eat food at school that is reflective of their cultural and ethnic norms. This not only serves to provide a bridge between home and school but exposes other children to different types of cuisine. Children, as they are growing in all areas of their development, are growing in their acceptance of new foods as they cultivate a palate that allows a wide range of foods, tastes, and textures, and our school’s guidelines aim to support this. Essentially, we aspire towards creating a culture towards food and nutrition where each child and adolescent feels empowered to make Every Bite Count.
As recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS), Austin Montessori School supports the following framework in our approach to food and nutrition:
- Follow a healthy dietary pattern at every stage of life. As such, our staff also follow the same guidelines in what they bring to lunch so they can model their food choices.
- Customize and enjoy nutrient-dense foods and beverages to reflect personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary considerations.
- Focus on meeting food group needs with nutrient-dense foods and beverages, staying within calorie limits.
- Limit foods and beverages high in added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium.
Below you will find our policy and guidelines on school lunches.
Austin Montessori School
Austin Montessori School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or gender, disability, or age in providing educational services, activities, and programs. Austin Montessori School complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), as amended, which incorporates and expands upon the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and any other legally-protected classification or status protected by applicable law.
