Maschio Shines a Positive Light on School Nutrition Program

Media has been portraying school lunch programs in a negative light, which is not the case for many school districts. School lunches provided today have improved tremendously since the days when the average meal consisted of fried food products that contained minimal nutritional value. This improvement is especially true for Maschio's School Food Service who always strives to be one step ahead of the rest when it comes to improving meal quality and nutritional value. Because of this, Maschio's 'Food Revolution' is ongoing and improving each school year.

Maschio's School Food Service provides school lunches that are well-balanced, nutritious, and satisfying. Maschio's is always looking for innovative ideas to further improve meals. We are constantly researching recipes and products to provide new healthful meals to expose children to different tastes. The school meals provided by Maschio's meet requirements of the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs which states that school lunches must provide one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and one-third of the Recommended Energy Intake (REI) for calories over a week's cycle of menus. School breakfasts must provide one-fourth of the RDA and REI. Lunches are also in compliance with the most current Dietary Guidelines for Americans including limits on fat (30 percent of total calories) and saturated fat (less than 10 percent of total calories).

Meals are composed of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, low sodium and reduced fat foods using proper portion sizes. Fresh locally grown produce is provided through the Farm to School program to enhance food quality, increase awareness of food origin and the importance of farming. Maschio's well trained employees, chefs, and cooks utilize both cooking from scratch and using pre-prepared products that are baked. There is a balance between the two in order to meet the guidelines and school budgets. The pre-prepared products are selected by the expertise of the Registered Dietitian and Corporate Chefs on staff to meet the nutritional standards for school meals.

Maschio's does not shy away from new ideas, like the one proposed in June 2010 by a third grade student at Copper Hill Elementary School. Third grader Nicolas Deluca's idea was to implement his own 'Food Revolution' by making modifications to recipes. The school cafeteria ran a weeklong trial of Jamie Oliver's recipes for lunch including Mac-and-Cheese-and-Broccoli, Apple-Cucumber Salad, and Corn Bread.