Parents Portal

Q: My high schooler loves your chicken sandwiches but I cant imagine they are any good for her. How is eating this any better than eating fast food?

A: The chicken sandwich has been one of the top selling entrees in Norfolk Public Schools for many years. School Nutrition offers three varieties of chicken sandwiches: Chicken Breast Filet Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Breast Filet Sandwich and Grilled Chicken Breast Filet Sandwich. At the high school level, both the regular and spicy chicken sandwiches rank in the top five selling entrees.

The chicken sandwich exceeds the nutritional value of fast food chicken sandwiches for the following reasons:

1. Baked not Fried - Compared with fast food, chicken sandwiches offered through the School Nutrition department are baked in our convection ovens. This drastic cooking difference makes our chicken sandwich have a lower fat content than its fast food competitors.

2. Whole Grains! - Both chicken sandwiches served in the high school level are served on whole wheat buns and are breaded with a whole grain breading.  Also, the bread is portion controlled to reduce calorie intake. Again, this is a drastic difference from some fast food restaurants that do not use any whole grains in their chicken sandwich or offer bread that is often too large for the sandwich.

3. Real Boneless Breast Filet - All chicken sandwiches are real boneless breast filets. These sandwiches are not formed meat products.

Along with the lean and fiber-rich chicken sandwich, School Nutrition offers nutritious side items such as: fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low fat milk is the only beverage available at all school meals. These side and beverage options do not even nutritionally compare with the side options offered at fast food establishments.

If you would like to see nutritional information about the chicken sandwiches mentioned above or any other school meal item, please visit our website and click on the Nutrition Education link located on the left.

Breakfast and lunch are free of charge for all free and reduced students. For the paid student, breakfast is $0.90 in all schools and lunch is $1.60 at the elementary level and $1.75 at the secondary level.

To share your good school meal experience or to learn more about school meals visit www.traytalk.orgfor more info!

See you in the cafeteria!
Christina Kepa, M.S. RD