Aramark Education K12 is the Food Service provider for the West Chester Area School District. The district participates in the National School Breakfast & Lunch Programs in all elementary and middle schools. This program provides state and federal subsidies for breakfast and lunches served in the schools.  The three high schools no longer participate in the Federal program.  In return for this subsidy, the district must serve meals that meet the NSLP nutrition and portion guidelines. Breakfast pricing at the elementary level is $1.25 and at the middle school level is $1.50 for a paid meal and no cost for a reduced price meal at all levels. The lunch meal price at the elementary level is $2.75 and at the middle school level is $3.00. The high school meal breakfast bundle is $1.50 and the lunch bundle is $3.25.  Reduced price breakfast and lunch will continue to be free of charge at all grade levels. At our high school buildings, there is an increased variety of options.  Our student viewpoint survey has helped us to realize what the students within our district want to see in our cafeterias.  Please see our high school newsletter for further information.

Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

The Summer Food Rocks site finder is up and running! Click here for more details.

Smart Snacks in School
(Elementary/Middle Only)

We are focused on the health of our school environment. Our school district has established nutrition standards for all snacks sold in school by any entity, including parent/student organizations, teachers, boosters, fundraisers, or the food and nutrition services department. These standards for snack sales are in effect from any time before school through 1/2 hour after school, in accordance with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the USDA and our district Wellness Policy. Non-compliant foods may be sold from 1/2 hour after school through the end of the day. These standards carefully balance science-based nutrition guidelines with practical and flexible solutions to promote healthier eating on campus.

Healthy Snack Calculators

Is Your Snack a Smart Snack? Use the Smart Snacks Product Calculator, developed by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, to take the guesswork out of nutrition guidelines! Simply enter the product information, answer a few questions, and determine whether your snack, side or entree item meets the new USDA Smart Snacks in School Guidelines.

Kids often need snacks to help them get enough calories (ENERGY) throughout the day. Choosing healthy snacks that add nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to their diets is essential. Smart snacking is a great way to meet daily nutrient requirements that may be missed at meal times.

Students in our district are offered healthier school meals with more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. The Smart Snacks in School standards published by the USDA will build on those healthy advancements by ensuring that all other snack foods and beverages available for sale to students in school are tasty and nutritious.

Nutrition Standards for Foods

Any food sold in school must:

• Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; or
• Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product or a protein food; or
• Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
• Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber)

Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements:

Calorie limits

• Snack items: ≤ 200 calories
• Entrée items: ≤ 350 calories

Sodium limits

• Snack items: ≤ 230 mg
• Entrée items: ≤ 480 mg

Fat limits

• Total fat: ≤ 35% of calories
• Saturated fat: ≤ 10% of calories
• Trans fat: zero grams

Sugar limit ≤ 35% of weight from total sugars in foods

Accompaniments

Accompaniments such as cream cheese, salad dressing and butter must be included in the nutrient profile as part of the food item sold. This helps control the amount of calories, fat, sugar and sodium added to foods.

Nutrient Standards for Beverages

All schools may sell:

• Plain water (with or without carbonation)
• Unflavored low-fat milk
• Unflavored or flavored fat-free milk and milk alternatives permitted by NSLP/SBP
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice, and 100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water (with or without carbonation) and no added sweeteners.

Elementary schools may sell up to 8-ounce portions, while middle schools may sell up to 12-ounce portions of milk and juice. There is no portion size limit for plain water.

• The standards do not apply during non-school hours, on weekends and at off-campus fundraising events
• The standards provide a special exemption for infrequent fundraisers that do not meet the nutrition standards. Each State agency is responsible for establishing the number of exempt fundraisers that may be held in schools each year.