TERRE HAUTE —
Larger portions of fruits and vegetables will be on the trays of students eating hot lunches in the Vigo County School Corp. this year.
The trays also should have a colorful combination of healthy foods — with no junk food allowed.
Tom Lentes, food service coordinator for the school district, said new federal guidelines aimed at curbing childhood obesity in American school kids have caused some changes in how meals are served up.
“As far as junk food stuff, Vigo County is ahead of the ballgame on this one,” Lentes said.
The lunch lines offer only baked chips or snacks — no candy bars or sodas — and only water or a sports drink, if appropriate. And any vending machines in the buildings are not turned on until after the school day, so that students who do stay after for athletics or other activities will have some snack available.
“Every tray this year has to have a fruit or vegetable on it,” Lentes said.
In the past, students could decline a helping of creamed corn or diced apples, or other good-for-you items — but no more. That may mean the food still goes uneaten, but at least the students have been given the opportunity to eat healthy choices.
A big change, he said, has been the setting of a maximum number of weekly servings on proteins and whole grains, as part of the effort to curb child obesity. That means that burgers and some bread portions will be smaller.
The school system has already served low-sodium and low-fat foods for the past five to six years, following federal guidelines.
Indiana has no state law setting school lunch requirements. Lentes said that leaves the school districts responsible for following federal guidelines set by the school lunch program, which reimburses schools for the cost of student meals. Those who want to get that federal money will follow the guidelines, he said.
“Our state guidelines are the same as the U.S.D.A.,” he said. “The state comes out once a year and does an audit, training and workshops.”
And there is a new program for youngsters at Deming and Franklin elementaries. Students will be given a free veggie snack during the day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It is an effort to boost brain energy and stave off the mid-afternoon sleepiness that some kids experience.
Each teacher will be allowed to determine when the snack fits into their class time, and the students will have choices such as sliced apples or veggies and dip.
Helping to educate the children about what they are consuming is another way to combat childhood obesity and encourage better eating habits.
Lentes said students have been shown the unhealthiness of some soda drinks. They have seen demonstrations how many spoonsful of sugar is in a regular cola, while how comparatively few are in a diet drink.
Top Story 2
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Bread man: Billy Bettis of Aunt Millie’s Bakery unloads a truck load of buns for delivery at Davis Park Elementary school Monday afternoon in preparation for the first day of school today.
Discussion
School meals must meet new no-junk food requirement
New federal guidelines seek to reduce obesity in kids
- Top Story 2
-
-
Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
Powerball jackpot closing in on another record
DES MOINES, Iowa — Less than 10 months after three tickets split a world-record lottery prize, the jackpot for Saturday's Powerball drawing was nearing historic territory once again.
-
A battle of secret tactics
The embarrassing arrest of a suspected CIA officer in Moscow is the latest reminder that, even after the Cold War, the U.S. and Russia are engaged in an espionage battle with secret tactics, spying devices and training that sometimes isn't enough to avoid being caught.
-
UPDATE: Fire damages buildings in downtown Greencastle
GREENCASTLE, Ind. — Fire badly damaged several buildings today near the courthouse square in Greencastle, with flames shooting through the roofs as firefighters from several communities were called in to the central Indiana city to help.
-
Terre Haute to host MVC baseball championship in 2014
After 32 years, Terre Haute will once again host the Missouri Valley Conference baseball championship tournament next season.
-
Former Peabody mine to be industrial mega site
A new industrial mega site is ready for development in southwestern Vigo County.
-
Records: Cleveland suspect faced prior complaints
A man charged with holding three women captive for about a decade had been accused of threatening his neighbors, attacking his common-law wife and committing violations during his career as a school bus driver, according to records released Monday.
-
What are you doing this weekend?
Here are some suggestions from the Tribune-Star's 'BASH section.
-
Block where women found a friendly, careful place
The block where horror happened has many faces. On one end, magnificent stained-glass windows rise two stories up a handsome brick church. At the other end, truck bays open into a bleak warehouse. In between are about 20 houses, some tidy, some with boards or broken glass instead of windows. Back yards melt into a block-long cemetery filled with long grass and crooked tombstones.
-
Details emerge in Cleveland captivity case
In the years after his friend's daughter vanished while walking home from school, Ariel Castro handed out fliers with the 14-year-old's photo and performed music at a fundraiser held in her honor.
-
Gov. Otis Bowen dies at 95
Otis R. Bowen, who overhauled Indiana’s tax system as governor before helping oversee the federal response to the burgeoning AIDS epidemic during President Ronald Reagan’s second term, has died. He was 95.
-
George Jones, 81, dies today in Nashville
Nashville, Tenn. – Country Music Hall of Famer, Grand Ole Opry member, and Kennedy Center Honoree George Glenn Jones died today, April 26, 2013, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. He was hospitalized April 18 with fever and irregular blood pressure.
-
Cross-country walker finds new enlightenment on purposeful journey
With each mile, each new town, Dave Brown enlightens others and learns something himself. The 61-year-old Philadelphian left Atlantic City, N.J., on Feb. 28 on a walk across America along historic U.S. 40. His goal is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer,
-
VIDEO: 1 Boston bombing suspect dead; 1 on the run
A massive manhunt is under way in a Boston-area neighborhood for one of two suspects in Monday's Boston Marathon bombings. A second suspect is dead after a high-speed chase and shootout with police.
-
UPDATE: Frantic search ongoing after deadly Texas blast
WEST, Texas — Rescue workers are searching the smoldering ruins of a fertilizer plant today for survivors of a monstrous explosion that leveled homes and businesses in every direction across the Texas prairie. As many as 15 people were feared dead and more than 160 others injured.
-
Indiana officials relay phone number for family contacts
Hoosiers who are having trouble contacting family members in Boston to check on their safety following bomb blasts Monday afternoon at the Boston Marathon can call the following number to check on them: 617-635-4500.
-
Terre Haute's J.T. Corenflos named ACM Guitarist of the Year
The resume speaks for itself.
J.T. Corenflos’ guitar virtuosity has put the sparkle in hit songs and albums by legendary singers, from Alan Jackson to Bob Seger, Brooks and Dunn, Don Henley and George Jones, as well as country music chart-toppers such as Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts. -
Coroner: Heart attack preceded Andersons’ car crash
A heart attack has been ruled the cause of death for Brent Anderson, 72, of Terre Haute, who was pronounced dead at the scene of a single-car accident in Putnam County on Sunday.
-
U.S. Postal Service to cut Saturday mail to trim costs
WASHINGTON — Apparently trying an end-run around an unaccommodating Congress, the financially struggling U.S. Postal Service says it will stop delivering mail on Saturdays but continue to disburse packages six days a week.
-
Texas official: 3 wounded in college shooting
A shooting on a Texas community college campus wounded three people today and sent students fleeing for safety as officials placed the campus on lockdown, officials said.
-
Harbaugh brothers — Jim and John — to face off in Super Bowl
Get ready for the Brother Bowl.
-
‘The Wabash’ varies in style, pace, heritage and feeling
In 13 cuts, an album simply titled “The Wabash” varies in style, pace, heritage and feeling as much as does the river itself.
-
New ISU grid coach has eyes on national championships
Indiana State’s football program broke the shackles of losing under former coach Trent Miles.
-
BREAKING: ISU taps Sanford as gridiron coach
Indiana State University will announce today that Utah State assistant coach Mike Sanford will be the Sycamores¹ next head football coach.
-
Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’ leads Golden Globes with 7 nominations
Steven Spielberg’s Civil War epic “Lincoln” led the Golden Globes today with seven nominations, among them best drama, best director for Spielberg and acting honors for Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones.
-
Travel Channel to film Santa Claus, Indiana
The Travel Channel will film the famous town of Santa Claus, Indiana, during the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration this month, for a new special called “Christmas Showdown.”
-
For 30 years, Parke County couple have approached art form with passion, love
-
Neglect case carries possible 48-year prison sentence
Six criminal counts of child neglect and five counts of criminal confinement have been filed against a Terre Haute couple accused of “cruelly” tying their children to beds with ropes and duct tape, and with denying their children food, water and access to a bathroom.
-
Starbase Indy to honor astronaut Neil Armstrong with special NASA exhibit
View a real moon rock during the Tribute to Neil Armstrong NASA Exhibit at Starbase Indy, a Midwest science fiction convention, during Thanksgiving weekend, Friday through Sunday.
- More Top Story 2 Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
Music Therapy Bonds Parents and Preemies
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
