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Editorial: Nutritious school lunches a boon for Windsor's students
To many of us who recall the offerings of the school cafeteria, nutritious school lunches would appear to be an anomaly. Stewed prunes and sloppy joe's hardly fit today's standards of a healthy diet.
What is happening in the cafeterias of the Windsor Unified School District is worlds apart from the old standards for school lunches. Thanks to the vision of Director of Child Nutrition Lisa Herberg, and the support of the school board, Windsor children are being afforded healthy lunches at affordable prices. And a large number of them are taking advantage of the opportunity.
Herberg is also a staunch supporter of the free and reduced price lunch programs, and participates in the summer lunch programs that bring free meals to low-income children, regardless of whether or not school is in session.
Through her dedication and commitment, Herberg has brought nutritious breakfasts and lunches into the schools, including salad, vegetables and health entrées. When she started with the district four years ago, lunches were purchased from Santa Rosa City Schools, and they were similar to TV dinners. "I was shocked," said Herberg. And the district was losing money on the deal.
So the district agreed to provide the equipment and within a few months was serving its own meals and the program supported itself and supported good nutrition.
Most campuses now feature a salad bar, and the high school offers students custom deli sandwiches. Of the district's 4,800 students, it is estimated that 3,000 purchase food from the schools' menus. Lunches cost $2.20, breakfasts are just $1.
"There's nothing worse than being trapped on campus with no options for good food," she said. "Healthy eating is very important in this age of obesity." It is also a well-documented fact that students who receive nutritious meals are better able to pay attention, learn and perform better on tests.
Under Herberg's leadership, many low-income Windsor students participate in free and reduced-price meal programs during the school year and the district has been an active participant in the free meals program during the summer vacation.
Lisa Herberg and the Child Nutrition staff deserve credit for providing such remarkable service to the students in the Windsor Unified School District. The program supports good nutrition, good learning and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. School leaders have done well to support the program and we look forward to its continued growth and prosperity.
- B.W.D.
What is happening in the cafeterias of the Windsor Unified School District is worlds apart from the old standards for school lunches. Thanks to the vision of Director of Child Nutrition Lisa Herberg, and the support of the school board, Windsor children are being afforded healthy lunches at affordable prices. And a large number of them are taking advantage of the opportunity.
Herberg is also a staunch supporter of the free and reduced price lunch programs, and participates in the summer lunch programs that bring free meals to low-income children, regardless of whether or not school is in session.
Through her dedication and commitment, Herberg has brought nutritious breakfasts and lunches into the schools, including salad, vegetables and health entrées. When she started with the district four years ago, lunches were purchased from Santa Rosa City Schools, and they were similar to TV dinners. "I was shocked," said Herberg. And the district was losing money on the deal.
So the district agreed to provide the equipment and within a few months was serving its own meals and the program supported itself and supported good nutrition.
Most campuses now feature a salad bar, and the high school offers students custom deli sandwiches. Of the district's 4,800 students, it is estimated that 3,000 purchase food from the schools' menus. Lunches cost $2.20, breakfasts are just $1.
"There's nothing worse than being trapped on campus with no options for good food," she said. "Healthy eating is very important in this age of obesity." It is also a well-documented fact that students who receive nutritious meals are better able to pay attention, learn and perform better on tests.
Under Herberg's leadership, many low-income Windsor students participate in free and reduced-price meal programs during the school year and the district has been an active participant in the free meals program during the summer vacation.
Lisa Herberg and the Child Nutrition staff deserve credit for providing such remarkable service to the students in the Windsor Unified School District. The program supports good nutrition, good learning and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. School leaders have done well to support the program and we look forward to its continued growth and prosperity.
- B.W.D.
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