SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / BRETT CRAWFORD Jasmine Santiago, 15, a freshman at Fitchburg High School, reaches for a fruit cup during lunch on Friday.

While other areas are suffering school-lunch revenue losses due to new federal nutrition guidelines put in place at the beginning of this school year, local districts seem to be reporting only small decreases in lunch participation rates.

Jill Lucius, nutrition-services director for Sodexo-managed Fitchburg schools cafeterias, said Friday the district is experiencing about a 4 percent decline in lunch participation from last year.

In October 2011, 82 percent of the district's students bought lunch, while in October 2012, 78 percent did, she said. In February 2012, there was 81 percent participation, while this past February saw 77 percent, Lucius said.

These numbers, however, are skewed a bit by the district's high free- and reduced-lunch rate. This school year, about 71 percent of Fitchburg students qualified for free lunch, while 6 percent qualified for reduced lunch, according to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

When it comes to the remaining 23 percent that pay full price, however, that is where the district is seeing the sharpest decline in lunch participation.

"It's so obvious when you look at the numbers, that the paid category is where we're having a problem," Lucius said.

In October 2011, 60 percent of these students bought lunches, compared to only 43 percent in October 2012, she said. In February 2012, 56 percent bought lunch compared to 42 percent this past February, Lucius said. While there has been

Lucius believes Fitchburg is experiencing a smaller decline than other districts due to early implementation of the guidelines set forth by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Students are, for the most part, well-accustomed to the healthier food, she said.

Lucius said there are many more factors affecting school-lunch participation

Visit link:
Federal nutrition changes nibble at region's school lunch programs

A Fresh Approach to Great Results. Charlotte-based Compass Group North America is the leader in foodservice management and support services. By combining fresh ideas with the industrys greatest talent, we continue to set the standards for food and service excellence. Our vision for success is a powerful one to continue to rise above the competition in every aspect of our business from leading-edge technology, to purchasing, to foodservice, to catering and vending, to facilities management and support services. That kind of commitment commands only the best, and it.s our great people providing great service that generates our great results. In turn, its important to us that our talented employees be given the proper resources to achieve their fullest potential. Play a key role in our future success:Morrison Management Specialists, a member of the Compass Group, is the nations only food service company exclusively dedicated to providing food, nutrition and dining services to the healthcare and senior living communities through its two operating divisions: Morrison Healthcare Food Services and Morrison Senior Living. With over 1,200 registered dietitians, 200 executive chefs and 16,600 professional food service team members, Morrison is actively committed to fostering ways to enjoy great-tasting, healthy food through socially responsible practices and superior customer service. Morrison serves over 800 client locations in 41 states including some of the largest and most prominent integrated healthcare systems and senior living communities in the United States.

Morrison started over a half century ago with the idea of bringing our retail expertise to hospitals. Today, we are an industry leader with national reach. We are guided by values that we call The Morrison Way: trust, team, customer focus, learning, and profit. Since the beginning, our strategy hasnt changed-we achieve our goals by helping our customers meet theirs!

Job Description:

Clinical Nutrition Manager in Decatur, AL

Clinical Nutrition Managers who are a part of Morrison Management Specialists make a difference. You too can make a difference.

As a Clinical Nutrition Manager you will lead the clinical nutrition teams in a 273-bed acute care medical center. Through your experience and expertise, you will manage labor and resources in order to provide for evidence-based medical nutrition therapy and superb patient care and satisfaction. In your day to day responsibilities you will ensure compliance with regulatory standards and work toward improving systems and processes.

Being a part of the Morrison Management team is about making a difference. If you are a Registered Dietitian with 3-5 years of management and/or supervisory experience, and are passionate about providing the best possible service to patients, residents and customers than we want you to join our team as a Clinical Nutrition Manager.

As a Morrison Management team member you will be eligible for comprehensive benefits, relocation assistance, tuition reimbursement, a 401K Plan, ADA dues and licensure fee reimbursement, and many other benefits.

Qualifications:

Credentialed as a Registered Dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

Link:
Featured Job: Clinical Nutrition Manager