New nutritional guidelines for à la carte food and beverages offered to students have been adopted by the Montgomery County Public Schools Division of Food and Nutrition Services. The guidelines are designed to promote wise food choices and help educate students about practices that promote a healthy lifestyle.

À la carte menu offerings for the 2003-2004 school year will follow these new guidelines:

§ Items shall provide no more than 30 percent of calories from fat or must contribute a minimum of 5 percent of the United States Recommended Daily allowances from calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, or iron.

§ Fruit beverages must contain a minimum of 10 percent fruit juice.

§ Doughnuts will not be offered in schools.

The à la carte program is designed to provide additional foods and beverages for students to purchase to supplement meals bought at the school or brought from home.

Montgomery County Public Schools is the first school system in Maryland to adopt these practices.

For more information, contact:
Kathleen Lazor, director
MCPS Division of Food and Nutrition Services Tel.: 301-840-8170