The Northville Public Schools Food Service Program is dedicated to providing students with a high quality product and service that meets the nutritional guidelines of the National School Lunch Program while accommodating student preferences.

Changes in school lunch menus went into effect July 1, 2012 as a result of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The Act is federal legislation aimed at fighting childhood obesity and childhood hunger, and ensures that school-provided meals are healthy, well-balanced and provide students all the nutrition they need to succeed at school. The Act includes the following key changes that will modify school menus as follows:

• Schools are now required to offer minimum quantities of both fruits and vegetables every day to help ensure children increase their intake of these healthy food choices.
• New lunch menus will also emphasize variety with a weekly requirement for different types of vegetables: dark green, red/orange, dry beans and peas, starchy, and all other vegetables.
• A requirement that half the grains offered must be whole-grain rich in the first two years of the new standards. Beginning in 2014, all grains offered must be 100% whole-grain rich.
• Daily and weekly ranges (minimum and maximum amounts) of grains and meat/meat alternate foods.
• Restrictions on milk products sold in school cafeteria – only fat-free or 1% milk is permitted. Flavored milk must be fat-free.
• Schools must adhere to a calorie range, as well as restrictions on trans fat, saturated fat, and sodium.

We recognize that these new standards will require some adjustment on the part of students and their families. As we make this transition this year, we are keeping meal prices unchanged from last year (although some a la carte items may be increased slightly), which will help to keep school meals a good value and a convenience for busy families. Also, we expect that food producers and processors will work diligently to develop new product offerings that are aligned with the new standards. Finally, if you would like additional information regarding the new healthy school menus, please visit http://SchoolNutrition.org or http://TrayTalk.org, or you may call Ms. Robin Bolitho, Director of Food Services, at (248) 344-8428.

Elementary lunch menus are sent home monthly, middle and high school menus are posted in the buildings. Menus and Lunch Prices are available on this site as well. Students may be eligible for free or reduced price lunches depending on family income. Applications are available on line or in all schools. You can find more information on lunch prices, and free or reduced lunch programs on our Food Service Information page.

In addition to offering lunch in all schools, the Food Service Department provides the Early Childhood Education and Extended Day Programs with breakfast, lunch and after school snacks. Catering service is also available for occasions such as athletic events, department meetings and staff parties.

The Food Service Department is located in Hillside Middle School, 775 North Center. Additional information may be obtained by calling 248-344-8428.