The Almanac: Mt. Lebanon's healthy lunches earn awards

Students in the Mt. Lebanon School District are eating some of the healthiest school lunches in the country. All seven elementary schools in the district were recognized Sept. 7 with the HealthierUS School Challenge Bronze Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

On hand to present the awards to each school principal was Dr. Janey Thornton, Department of Agriculture deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services. Also at the event, which was held at Jefferson Elementary school, Thornton presented the district with a check from the USDA for $3,500 - $500 for each of the seven schools winning the award.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/09-12-2012-ML-healthy-lunches (The Almanac)

Survey: Expand Lunch Plans

Citing parent and student survey results of a pilot lunch program at Mt. Lebanon's Lincoln and Washington elementary schools, administrators say they favor expansion of the program for the remaining five elementary schools.

Of the 600 elementary students polled, 82 percent said they bought a "sack lunch" at school. Of the 300 parents polled, 92 percent said they favored expanding the program to include all the elementary schools, said Superintendent John Allison.

In the 1980s, most students in Mt. Lebanon went home for lunch. They needed a note from a parent to remain at school during lunch hour. Today, however, students need a note to go home. Mt. Lebanon Spokeswoman Cissy Bowman said many Mt. Lebanon elementary-aged students still choose to go home for lunch, but increasing numbers stay and purchase sack lunches prepared at either the high school or middle schools.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/04-08-ML-food-service-B