Elementary Color Wheel Program
Healthy eating habits are an essential part of learning. Food and Nutrition Services is proud to offer Pasco County students low-cost, nutritionally-balanced meals throughout the school year. The Elementary Color Wheel System was introduced in elementary schools throughout Pasco County in January 2008. The system was developed with Cotee River Elementary School’s assistance to help inform students about the number of menu choices they can select for the meal price.
Many elementary students take only an entree choice and one side at lunch; however, the program’s goal is for students to select the maximum number of choices allowed for a more complete and nutritious lunch. The school lunch is priced as a unit. The student meal price is the same for the entrée and one side, as it is for the entrée, a milk and two different fruit and vegetable sides. For this reason, students are encouraged to select all their available choices—more for their money and its nutritionally better.
Breakfast and Lunch Color Wheel Charts are located on the serving lines or near the entrance at all elementary schools. Three different colors are used to represent the different menu choice groups such as entree choices, fruit and vegetable choices, and milk choices. During each meal service, the corresponding colored dots are located above the different menu items to help the students understand their choices.
Understanding Breakfast
To help understand what makes a breakfast, students can review our new meal pattern color wheels. The Breakfast Color Wheel explains to students they may select one (1) purple (main fare) choice, one (1) green (fruit) choice and one (1) blue (milk) choice at each breakfast for a total of three (3) different choices. To receive a breakfast at the published price, students must select two choices from different color groups.
Understanding Lunch
The Lunch Color Wheel explains to students they may select one (1) purple (entrée) choice, one (1) blue (milk) choice, and two (2) different green (fruit and vegetable) choices for a total of four (4) different choices. To receive a lunch at the published price, students must select one (1) purple (entrée) choice and at least one (1) choice from either the green or blue groups.
“We are always surprised at how many students only take the entrée and a milk. We would love to see students taking two different fruit and vegetable choices as well. This way, we know they are full, more ready to learn, and are getting the vitamins and minerals their bodies need,” stated Richard Kurtz, Food and Nutrition Services Director.
For more information on the Color Wheel System, please contact your school Food and Nutrition Services manager or the FNS .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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Current meal prices
Reduced Price Breakfast: $0.30
Reduced Price Lunch: $0.40
Full Price Breakfast
Elementary: $1.25
Secondary: $1.40
Full Price Lunch
Elementary: $2.00
Secondary Classic: $2.50
Secondary Alternative: $3.00
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
