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Healthier School Lunch Menu Options Move To The Head Of The Class In New Jersey

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - When kids in New Jersey go back to school this fall, they may notice a change come lunchtime.

"Lunch menus in schools will now feature more fruits and vegetables, more whole grains and only fat-free flavored or 1% white milk," New Jersey Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Director Rose Tricario told WCBS 880's Levon Putney.

WCBS 880's Levon Putney reports

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The revamped menus will also have to meet limits on saturated fat and portion size by following age-appropriate calorie counts.

"The school day is healthier than ever," Tricario told Putney.

Ahead of the upcoming school year, Tricario spoke at the New Jersey School Nutrition Association's annual conference in East Brunswick, to fill school cooks and nutritionists from districts statewide in on the new federal guidelines.

"School food service operators will need to not only get trained themselves but they'll be working towards training their staff," Tricario said.

Tricario said the goal is to arm students with healthy habits from an early age.

"We hope to teach them to make healthier choices in their eating habits so that they can be healthier adults," Tricario said.

Some districts had to get new vendors for the food supplies.

What do you think of the new school lunch guidelines? Please share your thoughts below...

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