About Nutrition Services
Socioeconomics impact test scores. As the level of poverty increases in the
community it effects the district. One factor known to children in poverty
is that they don't eat as well. The National School Lunch Program specifically
addresses that need and the link between nutrition and learning.
Our community and some statistics from a 1996 study:
- 27% of the cities residents are children under 18 years of age.
- 68% are are families that have all adults working outside the home.
- 66% of the jobs in Federal Way are in service and retail, paying an average from $4.90 to $7.12 an hour.
- 13% of residents are at 50% median household income or below.
- 43% city housing is rental housing.
Federal Way Nutrition Services served 2,148,000 meals were in the 1997/1998 school year. That's a 9% growth from the previous year delivered to 35 different sites. Our day starts at 5:45 am to prepare an average of 12,000 meals per day. On the right is a picture of about three elementary schools lunches, just before they are transported to the schools. |
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Our volume requires pre-planning and organization. We order 2-3 produce deliveries a week, for instance lettuce is ordered in 700 to 800 pound quantities. A typical order of fresh fruit is about 1,200 pounds. Green beans are ordered in 400 case quantity, timed after harvest. On the left is one of two pallets of grapes about to be cleaned for the next days lunch |
| All or these blueberries are for one meal |  |