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Healthy Eating Helps You Make the Grade!

Did you know that students who are well-nourished are shown to have increased problem-solving abilities, memory, verbal fluency and creativity? Still, the challenge is to make nutritious foods that kids will actually eat! Variety and choice are key these days. And at just $2.00 for elementary and intermediate students and $2.25 for middle and high school students, Goshen's school lunches are clearly one of the best deals around! We serve nearly 1,800 lunches per day, with more than 60 percent of our students selecting a complete lunch meal.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page and learn all there is to know about our Food Services Program. Happy reading!

• Just how healthy are school meals?

School lunches provide one-third of the recommended dietary intake for calories, protein and vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. On average a meal contains less than 30 percent of calories from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. In recent years Goshen has increased the use of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. All cooked products are either baked or steamed; nothing is fried.

• What are the prices for school meals?

Breakfast is only $1.25 for all students in grades K-12. For Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School and Goshen Intermediate School students, lunch costs $2. Middle and High School students may purchase lunch for $2.25.

• Can students pre-pay for meals?

We no longer use "meal credits." All accounts are cash accounts. Students may use their cash account to purchase breakfast, lunch or a la carte items where available.

• How do you pay for meals?

Parents may pay by cash or check made payable to Goshen Cafeteria Fund. You may write one check for multiple students attending the SAME school –- attach a note explaining how you would like the check distributed and the students’ pin numbers. The cash stays with the student's account for as long as he/she is in the school district.

• What if we can’t afford school meals?

Students may be eligible for free or reduced price lunches if their families meet federal guidelines. The application only takes a minute to fill out and can be done at any time during the school year. To print an application, click here.* Fill out the application and return it to Food Services, the school nurse or the front office.

• How can I find out what's for lunch each day?

The breakfast and lunch menus are posted online! To view your child's school menu, go to that school's homepage and click on "What's for Lunch" on the left-hand navigation rail. You can also access them here:

•  Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School menu

• C. J. Hooker Middle School menu

• Goshen Intermediate School menu

• Goshen Central High School menu

• Why does an adult get charged $3.75 for lunch?

Our district participates in the USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs. Through these programs, we receive state and federal funding. The subsidies that we receive may only be used towards the cost of meals provided to the students. Based on this, the cost of an adult meal must include all expenses incurred, including: food, supplies, equipment, staff, etc. The Food Service Department is financially independent of the district’s budget.

• Is eating a good breakfast really important?

A hungry child cannot learn. Our breakfast program offers all children a critical jump start at the beginning of their school day. Children who aren’t hungry feel better, learn better, and behave better. The State of Minnesota Breakfast Study (1997) found that students who ate breakfast had a general increase in math grades and reading scores, increased student attention, reduced nurse visits, and improved student behaviors.

• Why should I be concerned with my child’s eating habits?

Children’s nutrition is no small issue. There is no better time than the early years to make an impact on the lifelong eating and exercise habits that can contribute to health maintenance and disease prevention. Medical authorities and nutrition researchers have documented that meeting nutritional requirements throughout childhood is essential to full intellectual development. Recent research provides compelling evidence that nutrition impacts a child's behavior, school performance, and overall cognitive development (Tufts University Statement, 1998).

• How do you make school meals more appealing to kids?

The Food Services Program keeps a close eye on meal counts and student feedback to determine what the students want to eat. Students also now have more variety to choose from.

• What if my child has special dietary needs?

Goshen will accommodate dietary needs upon receipt of a doctor’s prescription. We encourage all children -- especially those with special nutritional needs (such as diabetes, food allergies, etc.) -- to learn how to make their own educated choices about the foods they eat since this is a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives.

• How much does this program add to my school tax bill?

Nothing! Goshen's Food Service Program is entirely self supporting.

• Who can I contact for more information?

For more information, please contact the Food Service Department Director Denise Billings at 615-6490.