© 2025 Aramark Student Nutrition. All Rights reserved. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Guide to Student Nutrition
for the 2026-2027 School Year
Elementary Artists
Before the Bell Breakfast
Our Commitment to Your School
We partner with schools to create culinary experiences that propel students to success.
At Aramark Student Nutrition, we are more than a meal service provider, we are your partner in powering student success. We aim to work alongside school leaders to create an engaging meal experience that meets nutritional standards while reflecting the unique needs of your school community.
Mary Cirone
Kitchen Manager
Tina Floramo
Helper
Meet Your Student Nutrition Team
We believe in the power of food.
That’s why we proudly and passionately serve healthy, delicious foods that power potential in your students
Food has the power to fuel a great day. When students have access to meals that are nutritious, flavorful, and made with care, they’re better equipped to learn, grow, and thrive.
That’s why we offer rotating, seasonal menus with fresh ingredients, global flavors, and limited-time options, so there’s always something new to try and something nourishing to count on.
School Food Never Looked This Good!
FIND OUR MENUS ONLINE AT:
WWW.Woburnps.com
The meals served in your school are designed to do more than taste good. They meet rigorous federal nutrition standards that support student health and power success.
School Food You Can Feel Good About
Expert Guided Nutrition
Scratch-Focused Approach
Fresh and Locally Sourced
Balanced to USDA Standards
Every menu aligns with the USDA’s strict guidelines, delivering the right balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and dairy.
Every detail is carefully managed, from portion sizes to sodium limits, with oversight from a team of more than 50 registered dietitians.
We strive to source food as locally as possible and exceed USDA Buy American requirements.
Meals include scratch-made items whenever possible, complemented by high-quality, ready-to-serve options.
Quality Families Recognize
We partner with trusted brands families already use at home, such as:
Many products are specially formulated to meet the strict school nutrition standards.
Menus Built with Simple Ingredients
Parents asked, and we listened.
Building on our longstanding commitment to quality ingredients, our menus have been refined to remove commonly questioned ingredients. These updates apply as a standard to all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
Artificial Dyes
Blue 1
Blue 2
Citrus Red 3
Green 3
Orange B
Red 40
Yellow 5
Yellow 6
The Following Additives
Azodicarbonamide
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Potassium Bromate
Propylparaben
Titanium Dioxide
*In Texas, menus also exclude caramel color as part of state-specific requirements.
Our 2026/2027 school menus
have been developed without
Where possible, products have been reformulated with simpler ingredients, and select items have been thoughtfully replaced. Most ingredients were already limited across our menus. You may notice subtle differences in color or texture as we transition.
Understanding School Nutrition Standards
School meals are balanced and age-appropriate, following USDA regulations to provide students with proper portions and nutrients daily.
Nutritional Standards By Grade
Every meal is designed to meet USDA nutrition guidelines, with standards tailored by age group to support growing students. These guidelines help ensure the right balance of nutrients, portions, and calories at every grade level. For Example, these are the guidelines for lunch:
K - 5: < 10%*
6 - 8: < 10%*
9 - 12: < 10%*
*of total calories
K - 5: < 1,110mg
6 - 8: < 1,225mg
9 - 12: < 1,280mg
K - 5: 550-650
6 - 8: 600-700
9 - 12: 750-850
K - 5: < 10%*
6 - 8: < 10%*
9 - 12: < 10%*
*of total calories
K - 8: ½ Cup
9 - 12: 1 Cup
K - 8: ¾ Cup
9 - 12: 1 Cup
K - 8: 1 Cup
9 - 12: 1 Cup
K - 8: 1 oz
9 - 12: 2 oz
Right Portion Size By Grade
Portion sizes are designed based on grade level to support growing students. Younger students receive smaller portions, while older students larger amounts to meet their nutritional needs.
For Example, these are the guidelines for lunch:
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, setting the tone for a successful day of learning. We have breakfast availability to ensure a strong start to the day!
Lunch
Students want to eat great food and spend time with their friends during lunch so build menus that exciting and convenient for them
to get through lines quickly!
Breakfast
Students:
FREE
Lunch
Students:
FREE
Meal Prices
Student Accounts & Charging
Payment for 2nd Lunches or snacks and extra can be accepted through:
Can be given during lunch time to our leads
Make payable to:
Woburn School Lunch Program
Charging Policy:
All Breakfast and Lunch are Free, no charging allowed.
Students are allowed to buy a 2nd lunch for $3:00
Account Restrictions:
We can add notes to restrict 2nd lunches or snacks
Breakfast or lunch, students get a MINIMUM of 3 Meal Components.
At least 1 must be a fruit or a vegetable.
Portion size varies by grade level! Rules are set by the USDA
What Makes
A Meal?
A la Carte &
Smart Snacks
Your student nutrition program will offer a la carte options at mealtime. A la carte items follow the Smart Snacks in School Rule.
To qualify as a Smart Snack, a snack or entrée must first meet the general nutrition standards:
• Be a grain product that contains 50 percent or more whole grains by weight ; or
•Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy food, or a protein food; or
• Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable
• The food must meet the nutrient standards for calories, sodium, fats, and total sugars
All of the products sold in your schools have been specially formulated to meet the USDA Smart Snacks rule like
PepsiCo works with Aramark to offer
specially K-12 formulated student favorites!
While some of these products are sold on retail store shelves like SunChips® and Baked Lay's® and Tostitos®, others are developed specifically for schools, including Doritos® Reduced Fat Tortilla Chips and Baked Cheetos® Whole Grain Rich Snacks.
Our wide K-12 portfolio offering includes products that deliver on key claims parents are seeking, while meeting or exceeding USDA nutritional guardrails.
Whole Grain Rich
Sodium Reduced
No Colors From Artificial Sources
Special Diets
Many students today must follow strict dietary restrictions, whether due to personal preferences, religious beliefs, or a choice to reduce or eliminate meat from their diets. We offer a wide variety of options each day to ensure they can find meals they enjoy, prepared in a way that aligns with their needs.
Supporting Students with Food Allergies
Collaboration is key.
We ask that school nurses regularly review and update 504 Plans and communicate any changes in student needs.
We are eager work closely with school staff and families to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and included at mealtime.
Food Fundraisers -
What You Need To Know
Guidelines for Fundraising Within Federal Regulations
Our department participates in federally funded programs, which necessitate that the district adhere to both state and federal regulations concerning food, beverages, and wellness to qualify for meal reimbursements.
Fundraisers serve as a great tool to generate donations for future school activities or events for students, and we’re here to help!
Fundraisers serve as a great tool to generate donations for future school activities or events for students, and we’re here to help!
Suggestions for Your Next Fundraiser:
Use the Smart Snack Calculator by scanning this QR code to determine if a food or beverage qualifies as a healthy meal during the school day.
It is essential to maintain records for any food or beverage-related fundraisers held while school is in session. To comply, we will require a copy of the nutritional label and Smart Snacks approval for items, in case state nutrition auditors request a review.
Note that there are certain exemptions for fundraisers, including:
CREATING SMILES AND APPETITES
Aramark Student Nutrition is offering interactive educational programs and events that will help get students engaged and create memorable moments they will remember:
Student Engagement
Food isn’t just fuel—it’s a way to connect, celebrate, and build community. As cafeterias and common areas become more than just places to eat, there’s a big opportunity to turn mealtime into a moment that reflects your school’s spirit. With a little creativity and a custom touch that taps into your district’s vibe, you can turn lunch into a morale booster, a culture builder, and a reason for students to look forward to the day. Because when food meets fun, magic happens.
DID YOU KNOW?
Our Breakfast Cart Program simplifies the process for students to pick up a quick, nutritious meal on their way to class—eliminating the need for a cafeteria visit. These efficient options guarantee that every student can kick off their day with a healthy breakfast. Your café team will set up carts in convenient locations throughout the school, allowing students to easily grab a delicious meal as they head to class.
On average, students who eat school breakfast have been shown to achieve 17.5% higher scores on standardized math tests and attend 1.5 more days of school per year.
Breakfast Carts or Stations
Quick & Convenient for Learning
01
Convenient – No cafeteria lines or rushed mornings. Breakfast is picked up on the way to class.
03
Academic Boost – Well-fed students are more focused, alert, and ready to learn.
02
Inclusive – Every student has the opportunity to eat, helping to reduce stigma and hunger.
04
Time-Saving – Breakfast fits easily into morning routines without taking time from learning.
01
Convenient – No cafeteria lines or rushed mornings. Breakfast is delivered and eaten in the classroom.
03
Academic Boost – Well-fed students are more focused, alert, and ready to learn.
02
Inclusive – Every student has the opportunity to eat, helping to reduce stigma and hunger.
04
Time-Saving – Breakfast fits easily into morning routines without taking time from learning.
Start every student’s day with the nutrition they need—right in the classroom! Our Breakfast in the Classroom program brings healthy, ready-to-eat meals directly to students at the start of the school day, making mornings smoother and learning stronger.
Breakfast in the Classroom
Join us in building healthy habits and better learning—
one classroom at a time!
Second Chance Breakfast for Athletes
Busy mornings happen—whether students are running late,
participate in morning tutoring or athletics or just not hungry first thing.
Second Chance Breakfast gives students another shot at starting the day right, with quick, healthy options available after first period.
How it works:
Why it’s smart:
No lines. No pressure. Just good food, when you need it.
PERFORMANCE NUTRITION
Student athletes deserve meals that
are specifically engineered to enhance strength, stamina, and mental clarity—whether on the field or in the classroom.
Here’s the process for requesting meals for field trips:
-Obtain Field Trip Order Form (located on District Wellness Page or your School Nurse)
-
-Return Order Forms to Cafeteria Manager (at least a week ahead of time
-Pick up Bags the morning of and Enjoy!!
It is important to ensure that every student has access to nutritious meals.
When organizing a field trip, test day, or even a half day, please inform us in advance!
Our dedicated team is here to make this process smooth and convenient.
To request meals, please reach out to us as soon as you have the details, so we can communicate with families and confirm arrangements. Make sure to specify any dietary needs.
Planning a Field Trip, Testing Day or Half Days?
Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
A USDA study found that FFVP students eat more fruits and vegetables than students who do not participate in the program.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides a variety of free, fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to children at eligible elementary schools. Schools deliver FFVP snacks along with bite-sized nutrition lessons. This encourages children to try new foods, learn about seasonal produce, and set healthy eating habits to last a lifetime.
Your Aramark Student Nutrition team will reach out to schedule a time to meet with you to discuss details.
We are still waiting to hear from the USDA and DESE if our application has been approved to participate in this great program. Applicants are chosen first that are high free & reduced. Once we hear we will let everyone know
Catering
Opportunities
Ready To “Wow” At
Your Next Meeting?
Our foodservice team is equipped to meet your catering needs for various small or large-scale district events, such as board meetings, PTA meetings, open houses, faculty trainings, and more!
Contact an Aramark Student Nutrition
Team Member to inquire about catering.
YOUR DISTRICT’S CATERING MENU FEATURES A
WIDE RANGE OF SERVICE OPTIONS, INCLUDING:
Scratch-focused recipes featuring local flavors and cuisines
Pre-packaged
grab-and-go meals
Banquet-style
catering events
Thank you!
Any questions?
Reach out to us any time!