WDMCSD NOW SERVING SunButter®
As many as one American child out of every 80 may now be allergic to peanuts – many of them deadly allergic. As of January 1, 2008, West Des Moines School District Nutrition Services discontinued serving peanut butter to students and has begun serving SunGold SunButter®. It is a peanut-free spread made from fresh-roasted sunflower seeds. In a recent independent taste study, more than 66% of five to 12-year olds rated SunGold SunButter® higher than peanut butter.

SunGold SunButter® is reliable, eliminating the risk associated with accidentally serving peanut butter to someone who could have a serious allergic reaction. Peanut or tree nuts are the main culprits in food allergies that affect up to 8% of children under four years of age and 2% of adult Americans. Food allergies cause 30,000 anaphylactic reactions (a severe allergy reaction) per year resulting in 2000 hospitalizations and 200 deaths, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. SunGold SunButter® is packed with the naturally nutritional goodness of sunflower kernels. That means 40% of the vitamin E, 8% of the iron and 49% of the thiamine you need daily is in a single serving. With a consistency, fat, protein and fiber content similar to peanut butter, SunGold SunButter® is actually nutritionally superior.

>> More information about SunGold SunButter ®

PAY FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES ONLINE
PaySchools is a secure online payment processing system that allows parents to send payments for school lunch (and breakfast) fees by electronic check or credit card. It lets you pay for your child’s school lunch anytime, anywhere. Using PaySchools is easy and convenient.

>>Download Information and Instructions

Our Department of Nutrition Services provides an attractive, appetizing and nutritious lunch for everyone in the school community each day. The district participates in the National School Lunch Program and receives USDA commodities and cash reimbursement for each student lunch served. All schools use a computerized lunch account system, SNAP.

Parents Welcome for Lunch
Parents are welcome to have lunch at any of the schools. If you are planning on eating at an elementary building, please let the school secretary know in the morning so there is enough food.

National Guidelines
WDMCS Nutrition Services menu planning meets and exceeds the required National School Lunch Guidelines.

Nutritions Meals
Breakfast and lunch are planned to offer nutritious meals, which average less than 30 percent of calories from fat if items from all food groups are eaten. The serving sizes are appropriate for the specific age groups. Items are offered in each of the food groups and students are allowed to decline items in two of the following groups:

• Meat/Meat Alternate – yogurt and cheese are included in this group
• Milk – skim, chocolate skim, 2 percent, 1 percent and whole milk
• Breads/Grains – school made rolls, buns, rice and pasta
• Vegetables – a hot vegetable and salad or raw vegetables
• Fruit – at least two fruit choices

  Offer vs. Serve
  To encourage students to eat healthy, a variety of foods are offered. A lunch consists of a maximum of 5 items, 1 from each group. For the items to count as a meal, the students must select 1 item from at least 3 of the food groups listed above.

Contact Information
Beth Hanna
Director of Nutrition
(515) 633-5085