Governor Bredesen Promotes School Lunch Week

Monday, October 12, 2009 | 04:01am

NASHVILLE  – Governor Phil Bredesen has proclaimed October 12-16, 2009, as National School Lunch Week in Tennessee in recognition of the crucial role school meal programs play in supporting student learning. School systems across the state will provide fun and educational activities to educate Tennessee’s children about healthy, nutritious meals.

"Healthy meals give students the fuel they need to succeed in school and help establish good eating habits," Gov. Bredesen said. "The school lunch program is one component of a much larger school nutrition program dedicated to graduating healthy students."

This year’s school lunch theme is “All-Star School Lunch”, an NBA inspired campaign featuring five “basketball teams” each comprised of healthy school lunch menu items (sample items below) and coached by a current or former NBA/ WNBA player.

The campaign runs from August 2009 to October 2009, culminating during National School Lunch Week.

“We’re fortunate to have the federally funded National School Lunch Program, which feeds more than 650,000 Tennessee children every school day,” said Sarah White, Director of the School Nutrition Program in the Tennessee Department of Education. “For some children, this lunch is their most nutritious, if not their only, meal of the day.”

Students across the state are invited to participate in “All-Star School Lunch.”  The online contest is available to students over 13 at www.allstarschoollunch.org. 

Parents and community members can help celebrate National School Lunch Week with your local school by volunteering in a school cafeteria or visiting your child’s school to eat lunch.

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Teams with suggested menus for the week:

  • CP’s Pizza – Head Coach: Chris Paul
    Whole grain pizza with carrot sticks and kiwi
  • Dwight’s Quesadilla - Head Coach: Dwight Howard Veggie quesadilla with Mexicali corn and apple slices
  • Vince’s Veggies – Head Coach: Vince Carter Chef salad with turkey, whole grain bread stick and strawberries
  • Nash’s Noodles – Head Coach: Steve Nash Chicken parmesan with whole grain pasta, green beans and fruit salad
  • Taurasi’s Teriyaki – Head Coach: Diana Taurasi Beef and vegetable rice bowl with egg roll and orange wedges

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@tn.gov.

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