USDA Menu Planning Patterns

National School LunchSchool Breakfast

After School Snack Program

5 Menu Planning Options

Enhanced Food Based

Nutrient Standard Menu Planning (NSMP)

Traditional Food Based

Assisted NSMP

Any Reasonable Method

EnhancedEnhanced Food Based Meal Plan

Traditional “Type A” school lunch

Retains the 4 components – 5 food items

Age/Grade groups:

Preschool,K - 6 and 7-12th

optional K-3

Designed to increase calories

from nonfat or low fat sources

grain/bread requirement

vegetable/fruit requirement

Count one grain/bread dessert towardrequirement

TraditionalTraditional Meal Pattern

Most familiar to school food service professionals

Traditional “Type A” school lunch

4 components – 5 food items

May not count grain-based dessert toward requirement

Age/Grade groups: Preschool, K-3, 4-12 & optional 7-12 grade

Nutrient Standard Menu Planning (NSMP)

• Computer-based menu planning system

• Approved software analyzes the nutrient content of foods allowing variance of portion sizes to meet standards for compliance

• Labor intensive for data entry

NSMP…

• Must offer entrée, milk and at least one other item – recommended to offer 2-3 “other items”

• Must generate analyses prior to meal service and be within USDA nutrient guidelines

Assisted Nutrient Standard Menu Planning (ANSMP)

• Computer-based menu planning system

• Approved software analyzes the nutrient content allowing variance of portions for compliance

• School usually contracts with consultant to plan and analyze menus

ANSMP…• Must offer entrée, milk and at least

one other item• Must generate analyses prior to meal

service and be within USDA nutrient guidelines

• Both NSMP & ANSMP more restrictive to changes

Any Reasonable Method??

Total Fat???

Vitamin

C?!

Calcium