Child Nutrition Quarterly Update

May 1st is School Lunch Hero Day! This is a special time to celebrate our incredible cafeteria staff who keep our students fueled, healthy, and ready to learn each day. From preparing nutritious meals to greeting students with a smile, our lunch heroes play a vital role in our school community. We are grateful for their hard work, dedication, and the care they show our students every single day.

Northfield Middle School students enjoying lunch.

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Say Yes! to School Meals

What’s the scoop with school lunch? Click here to read more from the Minnesota Department of Education!

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Although no application is required to receive free meal benefits, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees for school sports & activities. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts, and other meal programs. You are welcome to apply at any time!

If you receive a letter by email that you have already been approved to receive educational benefits for school year '25-'26, you do not have to complete the application. If you need a copy of your letter, please contact Rachel Brownlee 507-663-0621 rbrownlee@northfieldschools.org

Click here for Additional Benefits you may receive if you qualify for Educational Benefits

Click here for Online & Print applications.

Payment and pricing information can be found under the Payment & Pricing section of our webpage.
Make a payment through the RevTrak Store.

Meal Account Refunds and Transfers can be requested via this form. All refunds will be issued as a check, and no requests will be processed without having first completed the form. Be sure to request your refunds & transfers to siblings if you have a graduating senior before the end of the school year. Turn off Auto-Replenish in RevTrak before making any meal account refund & transfer requests.

April Menus

Our Bridgewater Elementary students celebrated Kindness Week by enjoying Jonny Pops together. Jonny Pops are made right here in Minnesota!

Bridgewater student smiling with a Jonny Pop

Take a look inside Quarter Three's monthly newsletters for tips for healthy living and recipes!

February 2026 - Honey Baked Lentils

March 2026 - Baked Salmon with Herbs and Lemon

April 2026 - Avocado Black Bean Taquitos

Harvest of the Month is a University of Minnesota Extension–supported program that features Minnesota-grown foods each month. Take a look at the Harvest of the Month website to learn more about the featured produce, including nutrition benefits, storage tips, and simple, kid-friendly recipes. It’s a great way to explore new foods, support local agriculture, and build healthy eating habits at home.

Beans

Beans have been harvested in the Americas for more than three thousand years. They come in all different shapes and sizes, from green beans to kidney beans to soybeans. Beans are also great for improving soil health because of their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.

Potatoes

Potatoes are starchy, nutrient rich, root vegetables that were first cultivated by the Inca people in South America. Today, potatoes are a staple food in cultures around the world - they're grown in all 50 states and more than 125 different countries.

Poultry

Poultry is a broad term for domesticated fowl, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese that can be raised for eggs, meat, and or feathers. Minnesota is the number one producer of Turkey's in the U.S., raising 40 million bird each year!

Seasonal Foods to Watch For

Everything you eat and drink over time matters. The right mix can help you be healthier now and in the future. Start with small changes to make healthier choices you can enjoy. Find your healthy eating lifestyle and you'll be able to maintain it for a lifetime.

Some local produce coming into season in our spring/early summer:

Asparagus
Blueberries
Strawberries
Broccoli
Cabbage
Rhubarb
Radishes
Spinach

My Plate, My Wins

This time of year we start getting excited to see color outside. Find a rainbow of colors in the fruits and vegetables you eat. Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day, and look for "whole wheat” on food labels.

The USDA MyPlate Shop Simple app can also be a helpful resource for planning budget-friendly healthy meals. Click here to learn more.

Quick Healthy Eating Tips

🥕Make half your plate veggies and fruits

🍏Focus on whole fruits

🥗Vary your veggies

🍗Add lean protein

🍞Aim to make at least half your grains whole grains. Look for the words “100% whole grain” or “100% whole wheat” on the food label.

🥛Move to low-fat and fat-free milk or yogurt

🥜Vary your protein routine

🍴Drink and eat less sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.

Image designed by Freepik.

Throughout the year, we join forces with our suppliers to offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to our students. Check out some of our recent featured produce!

Start the day with whole grains and protein
Increase your ability to focus
Decrease lost time from school with illness
Consume 1/3 of your daily calories
Get the energy you need to perform your best at school

As the summer approaches, kids often become more restless and distracted at school. You can help to make sure that their last weeks of school are productive by ensuring that they begin the day with a nutritious breakfast. Studies show a good breakfast makes kids more alert, less distractible, and better behaved in school; it can even improve their test scores!

Simple Breakfast Ideas:

Banana sliced into yogurt with granola
Breakfast smoothies: Berries, milk, yogurt, and ice
String cheese and apple slices
Toast with avocado or peanut butter

Child Nutrition Department

Stephany Stromme, Director of Child Nutrition

Email: sstromme@northfieldschools.org

Rachel Brownlee, Child Nutrition Administrative Assistant

Email: rbrownlee@northfieldschools.org

Website

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Northfield School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. You can learn more at: https://northfieldschools.org/about/departments/human-resources/ under the Title IX tab.

What we've been up to this quarter: What we've been up to this quarter:

School Lunch Hero Day! School Lunch Hero Day!

Application for Educational Benefits Application for Educational Benefits

How To Make Payments How To Make Payments

Refund & Transfer Requests Refund & Transfer Requests

Kindness Week Kindness Week

Live Well, Work Well Live Well, Work Well

Minnesota Harvest of the Month Minnesota Harvest of the Month

Seasonal Features: Seasonal Features: