Renton Schools' Nutrition Services is based on the nutritional and educational needs of students. These services are an integral part of the total educational program. The objectives are:

• To make available daily to all students nutritionally adequate, attractive, well-prepared breakfasts and lunches at a price they can afford to pay.
  
• To provide effective learning experiences which contribute to the development of wise food habits.
  
• To practice sound management that ensures full accountability.
  

  Breakfast Pattern

  1/2 cup fruit/vegetable or fruit/vegetable juice
  1 - 2 servings bread or cereal
  1/2 pint milk
  protein items may be added

  Lunch Pattern

  1 serving meat or meat alternate
  2 servings from the fruit/vegetable group
  2 servings from the bread group
  1/2 pint milk

  Offer Versus Serve
  Students in grades 1 through 12 can select 3, 4, or 5 of the menu items in the lunch pattern. They do not need to take food items that they know they will not eat. Due to choices available, most students select 5 items.
  
  A La Carte
  Nutritional a la carte food service is offered to students in many schools. This service is designed to supplement and not to replace meal choices available through the Offer versus Serve Program. A little bit extra is the name for this service in elementary grades 1-5 and is limited to milk only.
  
  Commodity Use
  Government-donated commodities are available for use in lunches for the students. These foods are of high quality. The include flour, cheese, beans, fruits, vegetables, ground beef, turkey and other such food items as may be deemed surplus by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
  
  Program Costs
  Commodities meet approximately one-fourth of the total food costs for Renton School District's Nutrition Services Food Program. The remaining 75% of food costs, all personnel expenses and equipment purchases and repair are provided from reimbursements by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and from income realized through food sales to students and adults. No government reimbursement of any kind is received for meals purchased by adults.
  
  More than 1,500 students are served breakfast and 5,500 students are served lunch daily in Renton Schools.
  

  Free and reduced price meals are available for families who qualify. Applications are available at school offices and kitchens or you may download an application in PDF format (Acrobat Reader required).