Nutritional Information

The Coventry School Food Service follows strict federal and state guidelines for meals sold at school.  The school system also has elected to participate in Connecticut’s nutrition standards which regulate ALL foods sold to students during and after school. 

The USDA requires school systems to provide 1/4 of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for breakfast and 1/3 of the RDAs for lunch to ensure that students are getting the proper nutrients throughout the day.

The RDAs are the “the average daily dietary nutrient intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97 to 98%) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group.” RDAs are nutrient intake goals for individuals to follow and refer to.

Food Allergies

The School Food Service program works with parents and students to help avoid allergic reactions. 

• The school nurse shares the names of students with severe food allergies with the cook-manager assigned to their school or with Carol Brigham, Food Service Director (742-4535).
• Meetings are set up with the nurse, cook-manager, parent and student.
• Peanut Butter and nut products are not offered at lunch or breakfast except as part of a yogurt plate or peanut butter & jelly sandwich.
• Parents of students with allergies are welcome to visit the school kitchens to scrutinize food labels. (Please call first!)
• All food service personnel are trained to preclude cross contamination in the preparation and service areas and to clean and sanitize all equipment properly,

Dining Area Allergy Accommodations

• Principals may create food allergen-free tables such as peanut or milk free tables.
• Dining room tables are cleaned and sanitized daily by food service personnel and tables designated as peanut or nut free are cleaned with a special solution just before and after lunch.
• Students should not trade food.

Please note:  The food allergy & asthma network is the most comprehensive web site available for understanding and responding to food allergies. Their recommendations and suggestions are in place in our schools.  They do not recommend that a school create a “peanut free” environment, since it creates a false sense of security, and could be harmful in the long run. 

Information for parents of students who are lactose intolerant or have milk sensitivity
If a student is lactose intolerant or has sensitivity to dairy products fruit juice is available as a substitution for milk at lunch or breakfast provided parents have submitted a statement from a “recognized medical authority". The medical authority may be a doctor, a nurse, or a physician's assistant. It is not necessary to submit a new statement each year.

Vegetarian Offerings

The Coventry Schools cannot offer menus that meet all the different kinds of vegetarianism; however, we offer the following daily vegetarian options:

CGS & GHR:

• Yogurt Lunch: Yogurt, pretzel, choice of two different vegetables, 100% fruit juice, fruit and milk

CNHS:

• Salad with cheese, choice of two different vegetables, 100% fruit juice, fruit and milk.
• Peanut butter and jelly triple-decker sandwich, choice of two different vegetables, 100% fruit juice, fruit and milk

CHS:

• Pasta with sauce, garlic bread. choice of two different vegetables, 100% fruit juice, fruit and milk
• Salads with egg or cheese, choice of two different vegetables, 100% fruit juice, fruit and milk
• Peanut butter and jelly triple-decker sandwich, choice of two different vegetables, 100% fruit juice, fruit and milk
• Teriyaki Veggie burgers (must be preordered), choice of two different vegetables, 100% fruit juice, fruit and milk

Wellness Policy
In compliance with federal law 108-265, Child Nutrition and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004, the Coventry School Board established a Wellness Policy that promotes student health and contributes to the reduction of childhood obesity. The components of the local wellness policy include nutrition education, physical education, nutrition guidelines for all foods available during the school day, and other activities that promote student wellness.   Parents may access this policy online at: http://coventryps.org/admin/board/policies/5140%201%20Wellness.pdf.