Cincinnati Public Schools was the first large school district in the country to offer lunch in 1898.
Today the district continues that proud tradition, serving over 4 million lunches and 2 million breakfasts to students throughout the year, including citywide summer programs.
Good nutrition is important to learning. Children behave better, have longer attention spans and are more eager to learn when they eat healthy meals. Food Services wants to make sure that all of CPS' students are ready to focus on their lessons every day.
The stigma of the "traditional school lunch" is challenging to overcome, but Food Services is working hard to provide exciting menu options, new marketing initiatives, and improve food choice and quality. Their goal is provide restaurant-style food that meets nutritional guidelines.
Innovations include:
Meals served under the National School Lunch Program meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. School lunches provide one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of daily nutritional requirements appropriate for that grade level — protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories. No more than 30% of calories comes from fat, and less than 10% from saturated fat.
Portion sizes are regulated by the National School Breakfast & Lunch Programs. At lunch, students are offered 2 ounces of protein, two servings (1 1/2 cups) of fruits/vegetables — above the United States Department of Agriculture recommendations, ten bread servings per week and a 1/2 pint of milk. For breakfast 1/2 pint white milk, 1/2 cup serving of fruit or juice, one serving of bread or cereal, and a second bread/cereal or 1 oz of protein are offered.
Wellness and the problem of childhood obesity are top considerations for school food service. The changes to school menus work in conjunction with CPS' Wellness Policy, which aims to promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging schoolchildren to eat healthier foods and to get more exercise.
Cincinnati Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer/provider.
Breakfast is served to all CPS' students at no charge.
2010-11 Lunch Prices