Comparison of Type A and nutrient standard menus for school lunch. II. Management aspects.

An extensive study compared school lunches planned to meet a specific nutrient standard (NSM) with those planned according to the Type A pattern. Average daily participation, food and labor costs, accuracy of the menus, and differences in the four-week menus between the two methods are reported. Twenty-nine menu planners representing a variety of living environments quickly learned the NSM method and enthusiastically planned and served the Type A and NSM test menus to fifth and tenth grade students. Type A data were collected in the fall and NSM data in the spring of the 1972-73 academic year. Changing from Type A to NSM menu planning resulted in no significant change in lunch participation or food and labor costs. Work functions also did not vary significantly when the menu planning method was changed. Menu planners of varying education and experience successfully planned accurate NSM menus and endorsed the method as an exciting and viable alternative to the Type A pattern. Sixty per cent preferred NSM due to its nutrient assurance, flexibility, and potential for nutrition education.