Posted Date: 10/01/2021
Beauregard Parish will recognize National School Lunch Week on October 11-15,
2021, to celebrate the benefits of the National School Lunch Program feeding over 30 million school
children each day.
The week is sponsored annually by the School Nutrition Association. This year the theme is: Wild
About School Lunch!
National School Lunch Week emphasizes the healthy foods that are offered daily in school
cafeterias across the country. School nutrition guidelines require that fruits and
vegetables are served with more whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy.
“National School Lunch Week is a time for us to educate our students and community about the
benefits of our school lunch program,” said Terrie Smith, School Food Services Director.
“School lunches are healthier than ever, with more nutritious foods that help provide the energy
that students need to sustain them through the school day.”
Each day, the eleven cafeterias in Beauregard Parish schools serve 1,500 breakfasts
and 3,200 lunches.
A typical workday for School Food Service technicians begins at 6:00 a.m.
They cook breakfast and begin lunch items, serve breakfast, clean up, and continue cooking and
preparations for lunch.
There has been a trend in the food-service sector to move school lunches toward pre- packaged
meals, explained Smith. However, in Beauregard Parish, School Food Service staff still prepare
meals in house.
“Most of our daily menu items are cooked from scratch each day,” said Smith. “Our School Food
Service technicians take pride in what they prepare and serve to our students and staff.”
USDA research shows that students who participate in school lunch programs have better nutritional
intake than those who do not. Eating healthy meals at school correlates with higher test scores and
lower absenteeism, according to some reports.
“Studies show that healthy eating habits are foundational to helping students meet the rigors of
the school day,” explained Smith. “Students who eat well-balanced meals are more productive in
class because they are better able to concentrate on their work.”
The federally-funded National School Lunch Program provides nutritionally balanced,
healthy meals to students each school day.
The program, which has been serving the nation’s children for over 50 years, requires schools to
meet federal nutritional standards that promote better general health for students.
“The School Food Service program in Beauregard Parish is an important part of the school day,”
concluded Smith. “We strive to meet both the nutritional and educational needs
of our students by serving healthy breakfasts and lunches.”