The Vegetarian Resource Group Distributed 1,000 Quantity Vegan Recipe Packets to Food Service Directors
The Vegetarian Resource Group had a booth at the American School Food Service Association's (ASFSA) annual meeting in Boston and thanks to several generous donations we were able to hand out 1,000 of our Quantity Vegan Recipe Packets for free. Food service directors said that students are requesting vegetarian options.In attendance at the ASFSA conference was The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to representatives from USDA, the organization is experimenting with a pilot project that may, in the future, give schools the option of planning school lunches based upon the total nutritional profile of the meal as opposed to a pre- determined number of servings from traditional food groups. USDA has been under pressure to initiate changes that will help schools meet current dietary recommendations.
The nutrient standard demo project will begin this autumn, with 30 school districts from around the country participating. In 1995, the plan is to open the program up to any school district wanting to give the system a try. Under the new system, it would be much easier to offer meatless menus that would meet with federal guidelines for reimburse- ment under the school lunch program.
Suzanne Havala, M.S., R.D.
