ARAMARK Education, in a partnership with Friendswood ISD, will now offer Gold Standard Menus that meet the criteria for reimbursable meals of the USDA’s Healthier US School Challenge.  The new menus offer more whole grain options, greater variety of fruits and vegetables, featuring a different fresh fruit and fresh vegetable every day of the week, and only 1% or skim milk.
         Childhood obesity continues to threaten the healthy future of one-third of American children. Obesity rates have tripled in the past 30 years, meaning that for the first time in history, America’s children may face a shorter lifespan than their parents.
         Earlier this year, First Lady Michelle Obama announced her Let’s Move campaign to reduce childhood obesity and make the nation’s schools models for healthier living. A major component of Let’s Move is the USDA’s Healthier US School Challenge which calls on schools to create healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, and encourages them to meet the USDA’s nutrition criteria.
         Friendswood ISD is proud to be one of the first in the State to offer these new Gold Standard menus.  Over the past several years, in partnership with ARAMARK, we have enhanced our menus with many healthier options and increased nutrition education for our students.
           “We’re committed to serving nutritious meals. This commitment is at the heart of how we deliver on our promise to help students flourish. We encourage students to embrace good eating and healthy lifestyle habits at an early age, and a school’s food and nutrition program plays a big role in this effort,” Food Director for FISD, Joseph Fitzgerald said.  “We’re excited about the opportunity to launch these new menus at your school!”
         The Gold Standard menus further elevate the District’s and ARAMARK’s focus on nutrition and wellness, which includes promoting and expanding the availability of breakfast; offering healthy, nutrient-dense snacks; eliminating added trans fats; reducing added fats, sugar and salt; sourcing high quality, local produce and products; and advancing employee knowledge of nutrition and health principles. 
         Some of the features of the new menu are as follows:
• A different vegetable is offered every day of the week, with a dark green or orange vegetable being offered 3 or more days per week
• A different fresh fruit every day in the week
• Legumes (beans) are offered at least one time per week
• At least one whole grain food offered each day
• Only low-fat and skim milk offered
         ARAMARK has provided balanced nutrition programs to school districts for more than 55 years. 
         Friendswood ISD, an Exemplary district, is composed of six campuses. The district is proactive in health projects and is currently revamping its physical education program to be one of personal empowerment, teaching students how to be fit throughout their lives. Healthy living concepts are promoted K-12 and FISD is proud to team with ARAMARK on ways to focus on nutrition and wellness.