The trimming of dessert affects elementary, middle and high schools. The issue is all about math. Government guidelines say that, when averaged over a week, only 30 percent of school lunch calories can come from fat. The last time Pinellas cafeterias were audited, the district hit just over the limit. Food services director Gray Miller wants Pinellas to do better.
Fries are an obvious target.
In high schools, fries are fried. In many middle schools, they are baked. In elementaries, baked fries are on the menu twice a month. If the committee gets its way, fried fries won't be listed as a veggie option, but they will stay on the a la carte menu. Nutritionists and some parents hope students on limited budgets won't be able to afford a complete meal with fries on the side.