Schools

Dishing it up

Directing food for Hernando schools is about more than scooping Tater Tots.

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE, Times Correspondent
Published August 30, 2007

BROOKSVILLE

As Hernando school district director of food and nutrition, Lori Drenth is responsible for feeding thousands of children twice a day.

At the beginning of a new school year, Drenth has her hands full determining which families are eligible for reduced price or free lunches. Families must reapply each year, and there is a deadline for continuous eligibility.

Drenth said if applications are not in and processed by Sept. 28, students not cleared to continue will be required to pay full price. She encourages parents who have set applications aside or forgotten about them to fill them out and send them in.

For students ineligible for free or reduced-price lunch, prices this year are $1 for breakfast and $1.70 for lunch at the elementary level; and $1.25 for breakfast and $2 for lunch in middle and high schools.

There are some new things going on with food service this year.

"We are piloting at three schools - Powell Middle School, Hernando High School and Eastside Elementary School - mylunchmoney.com," Drenth said. Parents can go online, and, using the number on their child's lunch card, enroll to put money on a student's account. The system can also charge a credit card as funds become too low to buy meals.

"They (parents) can also go online to see what a student is purchasing or eating," Drenth said. Parents interested in checking on their children's eating habits can enroll on mylunchmoney.com without depositing lunch money.

Parents who can't access information online can call their child's cafeteria manager for eating information. Any manager should be able to tell parents just what their child chooses from the food line. "It has been, on many occasions, enlightening for parents," Drenth said.

"Communicate with your cafeteria manager," she advises parents. "They are the best people to tell you what's going on with your student. That's what they're there for."

Managers are usually at school from 6:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Lunch time, which is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is not the best time to call, Drenth said. When calling a school, ask for the cafeteria or extension 205. Cafeterias have the same extension in all the schools.

Last year, West Hernando Middle School requested a faster way to move students through the breakfast line. Food service came up with its "Grab 'N Go" breakfast - bagged meals that students can pick up quickly and eat in the cafeteria or in their classrooms.

"It really does move along the breakfast line faster," Drenth said.

It was so successful that she offered it to principals of all the schools. This year, "Grab 'N Go" is available at Spring Hill and Brooksville elementary schools.

Chicken quesadillas are new on the menu this year, and Drenth encourages children to choose fresh fruits, vegetables and salads. "We do a real nice prepackaged salad," she said.

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 20:30:21]