Manatee County Food & Nutrition Services Department is part of a nationwide movement towards health and wellness. It is our mission to help inspire young people to develop healthy nutrition and physical activity.

We are required by USDA federal guidelines to serve the required level of calories and key nutrients for both Elementary and Secondary age groups. Menus are planned with the goal of providing students with 1/4 of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for breakfast and 1/3 of the RDA for lunch. This year we will continue to publish the "HEALTHY PICK" menu that gives students the opportunity to choose the healthier option for that day's school lunch.

We offer many healthy choices including lowfat milk, corn dogs and deli meats made with lower fat turkey, 100% juice, beef crumbles with added soy for lower fat content and whole grain products. We do not add butter or salt to vegetables and use various salt-free seasonings and butter replacements. In addition, we offer various salads, wraps, hoagies and daily offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables.

2010-2011 Wellness Initiatives:

• Nutrition education through Bulletin Board and serving lines
• Play with Your Fruits and Vegetables Days
• Monthly Wellness News
• Taste Testing and Kitchen Tours
• 7 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Grant Schools: Rogers, Daughtrey, Orange Ridge, Oneco, Manatee Elem, Samoset, Tillman
• 2 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Programs funded by the Food and Nutrition Office: Wakeland and Seabreeze
• 4 Healthier US School Challenge applicants: Kinnan, Rogers, Seabreeze and Haile

For more information regarding nutrition, allergy, carbohydrate and menus, please contact: Skye Grundy, R.D., Dietician/Nutrition Coordinator @ (941) 751.6550 x2134 or via email at grundys@manateeschools.net