Allergies & Nutrition 

OHLSD food service workers receive training prior to the 2017-18 school year

Food Allergies

The Child Nutrition department takes great care to serve quality, great-tasting food items to our students each and every time they visit our cafeteria. We understand that each of our students has individual needs when eating or drinking outside their home, especially those with food allergies. We provide the most current ingredient information available from our food suppliers for the nine most common allergens as identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (eggs, dairy, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish and shellfish), so that students with food allergies can make informed food selections.

However, we also want you to know that despite taking precautions, normal kitchen operations may involve some shared cooking and preparation areas, equipment and utensils, and the possibility exists for your food items to come in contact with other food products, including other allergens.

Balancing Calories

• Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce

• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals and choose the foods with lower numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

The department provides wholesome appetizing food choices for the students and employees in the district at a reasonable cost. These choices contribute to the good nutrition that’s so vital to both mental and physical growth of students.

The department operates as a business. All costs, including new and replacement equipment, food, supplies, salaries and benefits associated with the Food Service Department are paid by money collected from students, staff, and federal reimbursement for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program.

High schools offer students a large variety of choices, which include hot lunches, salad entrees, soft-serve yogurt and cappuccino.

Did you know?

1.  Several different menu entrees are offered each day at all schools.
2.  School lunches meet the Dietary Guidelines in meeting caloric and vitamin/nutrient needs.
3.  If your child has a documented medical food allergy, submit a doctor’s statement to receive menu item substitutions.
4.  Only milk and 100% juice are offered as beverages at elementary schools. Bottled water is also offered.
5.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are offered at all schools each day.
6.  Whole grain products are offered in all buildings when available from our distributors.  Several pizzas are made with whole grain crusts.