Food Service Zaps Trans Fats
New for 2010, the IISD Food Service Department reduced trans fats by switching from a regular margarine product to a trans fat free margarine product.  The margarine used previously by the department had 3 grams of trans fat, per 1 tablespoon serving.  The new “zero grams of trans fats” margarine has exactly zero grams of trans fats per 1 tablespoon serving.  Both margarines are cholesterol free, as well.  Margarine is used by the IISD Food Service Department as an ingredient in baking and cooking various items, as a flavoring for some vegetables, and placed on top of some bread items, such as toast.

IISD Breakfast Participation Exceeds State, National Levels
Nationally, participation by students in the School Breakfast Program is a fraction of their participation in the National School Lunch Program.  In Texas, breakfast participation is higher than the national average, but even here, based on data from the 08-09 school year, breakfast participation is approx. 47 breakfasts served for every 100 lunches served (i.e. 47%).  The Irving ISD Food Service Department took the challenge of increasing breakfast participation in the district to heart.  Given that numerous research projects and studies indicate that children who ...

New for 2010: Wellness Wednesday
As thoughts of many people in the New Year shift to resolutions for better personal health and personal well-being, the IISD Food Service Department likewise resolves to take exciting new steps to increase the health and nutritional well-being of our students and of our employees.   As a result, in support of the district’s wellness program, and of student health in general, the IISD Food Service Department is proud to announce a special promotion for 2010: Wellness Wednesdays.  The last Wednesday of every month (except during state testing days, during which it will be the Wednesday before) of January-May, 2010, will be designated by the Food Service Department as Wellness Wednesday.  On that day, the Food Service Department will distribute, at all elementary school cafeterias and at no cost, a special wellness item, aimed at educating students about ways to achieve better health.  Every student and adult who takes/purchases a reimbursable lunch that day will receive a free wellness item ...

Maria Garcia – December 2009 Employee of the Month
Maria Garcia, Food Service Technician at Bowie Middle School, was recognized at the December 14^th Board Meeting as the December Employee of the Month.  Ms. Garcia’s consistently excellent work performance, as well as her leadership skills, were factors in her earning this award.  The “Employee of the Month” is one of the highest awards given to IISD employees.   Maria Contreras, Cafeteria Manager at Bowie Middle School, said that Ms. Garcia is a key part of the success of Bowie’s school kitchen.  We congratulate Ms. Garcia on earning this recognition, and we wish her many years of continued success.

Thanksgiving Lunch a Huge Hit
Record crowds enjoy an early Thanksgiving feast!  Irving ISD’s annual Thanksgiving lunch, served on Thursday, November 19^th at all school cafeterias, was enjoyed by many thousands of students, staff, and visitors.  The menu, featuring oven roasted turkey, dressing made on-site in school kitchens, and home-made rolls and desserts (to mention just a few items prepared and served by expert cooks) were enjoyed by nearly 30,000 participants.

Information about Special Diets and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies
If your child is in need of Special Dietary Modifications, please be aware that signed doctor’s order must be submitted to the school nurse or the IISD Food Service Department in order for dietary modifications to be made.  A new doctor’s order must be submitted Each School Year.  For more information please call 972.600.6918.  Food Allergies:  Although the Irving Independent School District’s cafeterias do not serve peanut products at any Early Childhood or Elementary Schools, many of the foods served in our cafeterias are made in production facilities and commercial food manufacturing plants where peanut and tree nut products are processed.  We cannot guarantee...

Lively Receives USDA Gold School Award
Lively Elementary School, receives the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Gold School Award From Dr. Janey Thornton (center left), USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition & Consumer Services, September 30th.  Also pictured are Michael Rosenberger (left), director of food service, and Dr. Neil Dugger, interim superintendent.  Cafeteria Manager Raquel Perez (royal blue shirt), and her staff join Patty Notgrass (center right), principal at Lively Elementary School, as she receives the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Gold School Award From Dr. Janey Thornton (center left), USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition & Consumer Services, September 30th.  Also pictured are Michael Rosenberger (left), director of food service, and Dr. Neil Dugger, interim superintendent.

Meal Accounts now Accepted at Ala Carte Lines
(Secondary Schools)  Thanks to an upgrade in technology equipment, all Express Lines and cash-only concepts (found in secondary schools) now accept funds from student meal accounts, including funds deposited via ParentOnline.

Soy Milk Offered as Non-Dairy Milk Substitute
(Early Childhood and Elementary) In response to a recent policy change by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Irving ISD’s Food Service Department is modifying its practice of offering substitute beverages to students who cannot consume fluid cow’s milk.  In accordance with the policy change, the IISD Food Service Department will offer soy milk as a non-dairy milk substitute for those students whose documented medical condition does not allow the consumption of cow’s milk at: (1) breakfast and lunch at the Early Childhood Schools and (2) breakfast at "Breakfast in the Classroom" Elementary Schools.

Irving ISD Free/Reduced Lunch Policy
Irving Independent School District has announced its policy for providing free and reduced price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program ... The household size and income criteria identified in the chart will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels indicated are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court may also be eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Eligibility for the foster child is based on the child’s income...

New Phone, Fax numbers for Food Service
Effective immediately, the new “main” telephone number for the Food Service Department is 972.600.6900.  The new fax number for the Food Service Department is 972.273.6906.  Please visit the Contact Us section of this website for telephone numbers of specific staff members.

Food Service Cuts the Fat!
Within a few weeks, students at Irving ISD elementary schools may notice a slight difference when they pick up their carton of milk – no more 2% milk choices!  Instead, all milk served at elementary schools will be either non-fat milk or low-fat 1% selections.  We will still offer both white and chocolate milk varieties, and possibly other flavors, as well.

Silver School Award Winners Recognized
The Board of Trustees recognized the IISD schools awarded Silver School status by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the HealthierUS School Challenge…In order receive the Silver School designation, schools must meet or exceed the nation’s second-highest standards for student exercise, healthy meals, and nutrition education. The 11 IISD schools represent the largest group of schools in a single school district in the state of Texas to be recognized as Silver School winners at a single time.

Breakfast Participation Climbs 17%
Early meal data indicates that the average daily breakfast participation rate increased 17% in Irving ISD!  Data was examined from April 2008 and September 2008.  This means that several thousand more students in SY08-09 are enjoying healthy yet low-cost breakfasts every day.  Numerous studies indicate that breakfast is indeed the most important meal, and that students who start their day with a healthy breakfast perform better academically and have fewer trips to school nurses, fewer tardies, and overall improved behavior.