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Why Is Chocolate Milk Back in Watertown School Cafeterias?

Watertown school officials have been adjusting to the new school lunch regulations, both in the kitchen and financially.

Students found something missing from the Watertown school lunch menu when they returned to school in the fall - chocolate milk. Recently, however, the flavored milk has made a return - but why? John Loughran, director of business services for the Watertown Public Schools told the School Committee that the district's food services director found some chocolate milk that meets the requirements of the new, stricter, state and federal food guidelines, which stress low fat, low sugar meals with fewer calories. Students welcomed the return of chocolate milk enthusiastically. "Chocolate milk reappeared subsequent to New Year's and at one elementary school, income from milk was $170,000." The milk has less sugar, Loughran said, so it meets the …

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Charlie Breitrose

5:06 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013

Rose, I got in touch with the school district and they said they use Garelick Farms.   more ›

Watertown High Students Give New School Lunch Menu the Thumbs Down

New federal guidelines restrict the number of calories and amount of fat and sugar allowed to be in a school lunch.

  Major changes were made to the menu at Watertown High School's cafeteria and students do not approve.  The school lunch program adjusted the menus to meet new federal dietary guidelines, and lunches are smaller, have limited fat and sugar and students must now take a piece of fruit and either a milk or juice, said WHS student Aaron Siegel, who serves as a student representative to the School Committee. "The meals are limited to 850 calories and are low in fat and sugar," Siegel said. "Many athletes feel that it is not substantial enough."  As a result, students buy extra food to fill up, Siegel said.  "Students are buying more snack," Siegel said. "Not only are they paying more money but they are buying more junk food." When they go to …

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