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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 ›

New School Lunch Menus Get Mixed Grades in Watertown Schools

Massachusetts' new school nutrition guidelines limit the amount of food and what can be served. Some see the elimination of chocolate milk as a good step while others were irked.

The menus at the cafeterias in the Watertown Public Schools have a new look - with healthier offerings - but the changes are not getting passing grades from all. In June, state school officials released the new nutritional guidelines for Massachusetts' public schools, which stress more whole-grains, fruits and vegetables and less sugar. As a result, the portion sizes are down and gone are items such as chocolate milk and sweetened fruit juices. Watertown Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald said she went to the high school cafeteria and noticed that the portions are indeed smaller. She noticed a loophole in the system, however. "Portions are regulated, portions are smaller, but you can buy two portions," Fitzgerald said. "If you are a big, …

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