Do you ever wonder why the cafeteria staff may tell you that you need one more item? Read about OVS then take the Food Item Quiz!

General OVS Requirements for Lunch:

• Students must take at least 3 of the 5 food items.  This is the minimum under Federal program regulations. 
• Students may take smaller portions of the declined food items.
• The meal must be priced as a unit.  That is, a student who takes 3, 4, or 5 food items, or smaller portions of some items, pays the same price.

What's for lunch?
For a meal that is reimbursable under USDA regulations, students must be offered a lunch that contains:

• 5 food items...
• from the 4 food components...
• in at least the minimum serving sizes for the appropriate age/grade group

The 5 food items at lunch include:

1.          Meat/Meat Alternate
2.          Grains/Breads
3. & 4.  Vegetables/Fruits - two or more servings of different kinds of
             vegetables and/or fruits
5.          Milk

The 4 food components at lunch are:

1. Meat/Meat Alternate
2. Vegetables/Fruits
3. Grains/Breads
4. Milk
   

What's for breakfast?

• 4 food items;
• from 3 or 4 components;
• in at least the minimum serving size for the appropriate age/grade group.

The 4 food components for breakfast are:

1. Meat/Meat Alternative = meat, poultry, fish, cheese, nuts, nut butters, eggs, dry beans, yogurt, and alternative protein products.
2. Grains/Breads = bread, tortillas, bagels, biscuits, muffins, and many more products made from enriched or whole-grain meal or flour, plus enriched or fortified cereals.
3. Vegetable/Fruit = fruit or vegetable in any form or full-strength juice.
4. Milk = fluid, served as a beverage or on cereal or both.

Concepts:

• Students can make food selections, and will more likely eat what they select.
• Students may refuse any food item.
• Students may take any combination.
• Combination foods count as more than 1 food item.
• Parents and other adults teach kids -- by example -- to make healthful choices.
• We encourage students to select all foods offered.
• Policy for extra portions at extra cost is unaffected by OVS.

Click the link below to take the OVS quiz!