There are a variety of ways that school districts can offer additional meal services to their students, encouraging healthy eating all day long. Dairy MAX staff members have resources, including grant money, available to assist districts in these endeavors. Below is a list of additional school meal service options that may be funded with Dairy Dollars for Schools. If your district has interest in these programs or other ideas for expanding your meal service, contact your local school program coordinator to get started. Click here to complete an information request form.
Smoothies
Dairy- and fruit-based smoothies are a healthy way to introduce additional menu options to students. Expand nutrition opportunities by serving smoothies for school breakfast, grab-and-go meals, a la carte lunches and school functions. Adding smoothies to the menu is a great way to increase dairy consumption among students and revenue for the child nutrition department. Grants are available to assist with equipment purchase, taste-testing and promotion.
Parfaits
Parfaits are popular! Students see them in the grocery store and at many restaurants they frequent with friends and family. Parfaits are a healthy alternative to higher fat, and popular snacks on the menu. Parfaits can be a nutritious snack, providing fiber, vitamins and minerals with 0 grams of trans fat. They also are a great way to incorporate commodity fruits into the menu. Parfaits can be convenient for you since they use many ingredients that you already have on hand. Grants are available to assist with equipment purchase, taste-testing and promotion.
Coffee Bars
Looking for a new idea to engage your high school audience? Coffee bars that serve a variety of drink options are popping up all over the United States. Milk-based drinks are especially popular with students and provide an additional healthy option for breakfast, lunch and snacks.
The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools and child care institutions who do not participate in other federal meal service programs. The program reimburses schools for the milk they serve.
Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs also may participate in the Special Milk Program to provide milk to children in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs where children do not have access to the school meal programs.
When school is out and parents are still at work, children need a safe place to be with their friends with structured activities and supportive adults.
After school programs that serve meals and snacks draw children and teenagers into constructive activities that are safe, fun and filled with opportunities for learning. The food gives them the nutrition they need to learn and grow.
USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program
The child nutrition programs reimburse child care centers, family day care homes, emergency shelters, schools and residential child care institutions for the costs of serving nutritious meals — including the costs of preparation and clean-up of meals — to infants and adults.