K-12 School Foodservice
Supporting school nutrition professionals with resources and ideas to confidently serve wholesome, flavorful beef while meeting student preferences and menu requirements.
Dietary Guidelines
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans has reported that the diet quality of school-age children and adolescents is poor (1). School meals can play an influential role in a child's development of a healthy eating pattern. For some, school meals can provide two-thirds or more of their daily caloric intake. As a nutrient-dense, high-quality lean protein, beef is a flavorful food that can be a foundational part of dietary patterns and healthful school meals. Providing high-quality protein, zinc, iron, choline, phosphorus and B vitamins including B6 and B12, beef makes a perfect complement for other healthy foods on the plate like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and dairy -- which all provide their own unique mix of nutrients like vitamin C, folate, calcium, potassium and dietary fiber.
The Why for Beef in School Meals
- Beef is flavorful and is nutrient-rich.
- Beef pairs well with other healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and dairy.
- We need to keep in mind that kids tend to accept and eat:
- Foods served at home
- Foods served at local food establishments
- Foods on trend –influenced by peers, media, social media
School meal programs can provide nearly two-thirds of daily calories for kids, and therefore play an influential role in the development of a healthy dietary pattern.
Recipes for School Lunch Programs
These recipes were developed by a team of culinary experts who help growing kids get all the essential nutrients they need for optimal health while still meeting the requirements for healthy school meal patterns. The recipes are cost-effective and efficient, and meet USDA requirements for school lunch programs.
No matter where you choose to source the beef you prepare for school lunch trays, beef is an excellent choice for kids – providing a great source of nutrients and having a flavor profile they love. Students of all ages love to eat school lunch when you serve spaghetti and meat sauce, beef tacos, cheeseburgers, and savory meatballs, along with other delicious options like Philly cheesesteaks, beef stew, or hot beef sandwiches. If you purchase products from local farmers and ranchers there are many ways to incorporate it into your school meals.
Meet Stacey Bettis, an Ohio school food service director who brings local beef directly to her students. By purchasing beef from county fairs, she supports young livestock producers and serves nutritious meals students love. See how this farm to school program promotes local beef, nutrition education, and community pride.
If you have additional questions or need support with sourcing or menuing local beef, contact OBC Manager of Nutrition Education Programs, Anna Gest, MS, RDN, LD.
1. US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Legacy, NDB #13364. Version Current: April 2018. Internet: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/