Celebrating National School Lunch Week in Chautauqua County

The Chautauqua County Health Department is recognizing school food service professionals across the county who provide children with nutritious meals each school day and encourage healthy habits early in life. The recognition comes during National School Lunch Week, which continues through Friday. Behind every school meal are food service professionals who plan menus according to U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, prepare and serve food, meet food safety standards, manage special dietary needs and find creative ways to make healthy foods appealing to students.

County Public Health Director Lacey Wilson says, "Healthy eating is such an important part of helping children grow, learn and stay healthy. School meals give children a chance to enjoy healthy foods, try something new and normalize nutritious eating that can last a lifetime. We are grateful to the people who work every day to make those opportunities possible."

There are approximately 17,000 children enrolled in public schools across Chautauqua County each year. Jamestown Public Schools, the county's largest school district, serves approximately 4,300 students across five elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school. The high school cafeteria alone serves about 1,100 meals each day.

More on Chautauqua County's celebration of National School Lunch Week can be seen below.