School meals are analyzed by a Registered Dietitian to ensure that they meet USDA nutritional guidelines and that they follow the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

USDA nutritional guidelines specify that school lunches meet 1/3 of the calories needed by school-age children. In addition, school meals must contain the proper amount of 5 key nutrients:  protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. Total fat content must be less than 30% of calories, with less than 10% of the calories from saturated fat.  These guidelines apply as an average over the course of one week of school lunch menus.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are general nutritional statements that are meant to guide food choices for healthy eating. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans call for moderation and the avoidance of extremes in the diet.  View the 2005 Dietary Guidelines at http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines/.