Nutritional Information & Nutrition Policy

Menu Planning

Judson ISD Child Nutrition Department menus are planned by a registered dietitian with a goal of providing a variety of nourishing student friendly menu items at an affordable price. Menu items offered are based on student input through the Student Nutrition Advisory Committee (SNAC). The SNAC committee is composed of 20-30 students from each grade level, all around the district. The committee members meet with the registered dietitian twice a year to provide their opinions and requests on current and future menus.

Nutrient Requirements

All Judson ISD schools offer FREE breakfast to all students all year long. Breakfast menus are designed to meet ¼ of the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA's). Lunch is also offered at all campuses. The menus over a school week provide less than 30% fat and 10 saturated fat while providing 1/3 of the RDA's for students at lunch. These requirements are based on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Nutrient content of our menus have been carefully analyzed and can be viewed at https://judsonisd.nutrislice.com/menus-eula. Download our mobile app to get monthly menu updates and easy access to online payment options.

Judson ISD is committed to ensuring that each student enjoys a nutritious and tasty meal. We strive to provide trendy and popular menu items and flavor profiles that students crave. Our recipes and food preparation techniques have been modified to reduce the fat, trans fat, salt and sugar content of the meals, while maintaining the required level of essential nutrients. Healthy meal preparation techniques involve baking, steaming, and braising to reduce the fat content of the meals. We do not fry any of our menu selections.  We also offer lower fat or reduced fat condiments, sauces, gravies, cheeses, pepperoni, and lean ground beef. Every day students can select from a variety of skim milks, whole grain products, fruits packed in their own juice or light syrup, and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that are offered.

We have worked with manufacturers to develop healthier versions of popular food items such as -wholegrain, reduce fat, lower-sodium pizza, lean hamburgers, reduced fat chicken nuggets and filets.

Special Dietary Needs

The Child Nutrition Registered Dietitian has access to educational resources and is trained in nutrition, food labeling and food production. The nutritional and allergen information that we display is provided by food manufacturers and other third parties. The Registered Dietitian’s role is to communicate with the school staff, cafeteria staff and parents what allergens exist on the school menus as well as diet modifications for specific documented needs. Nutritional analysis of food items and common allergy information can be found at www.judsonisd.nutrislice.com

Any specific information needed concerning ingredients in food products and recipes can be obtained by contacting the Child Nutrition department during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:30-4:00pm.

For students with special diet needs, the Special Dietary Request Form must be submitted to the Child Nutrition Department yearly. This form, is required by the Texas Department of Agriculture, and must be completely filled out with signature of licensed physician to be valid. All other forms will not be accepted. Meal modification requests expire at the end of the school year and must be submitted yearly.

The responsibilities of School Nutrition Services are:

 

• Annually review food labels
• Note allergens on student meal account after medical documentation is received
• Make reasonable menu accommodations for life threatening allergies or medical conditions that meet the definition of the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Provide nutrient analysis including the carbohydrate content of menu items for diabetic management
• Provide information to the parent or guardian of the nutritional value and/or ingredient content of food available in the school cafeteria upon request
• School Nutrition Services will not make menu accommodations based on religious or food preferences

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, JISD, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Nutrition Policy

Judson ISD complies with the Texas School Nutrition Policy. This policy was developed by the Texas Department of Agriculture and is updated each school year.

For more information contact the Texas Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Division at (877) TEX-MEAL or squaremeals@agr.state.tx.us.