Monroe schools' nutrition praised

The Monroe district’s seven elementary school cafeterias have earned honors in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Healthy U.S. Schools Challenge for serving nutritious meals and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Each school met nutrition guidelines, demonstrated effective phys ed and nutrition education programs, and earned a Silver Status designation. Each school will receive $1,000 and a plaque and banner.

District food service provider Sodexo serves 44,000 hot lunches a month in the elementaries. Depending on the building, 65 to 80 percent of elementary students eat in the cafeteria daily.