Sound Minds. Sound Bodies.
School nutrition programs provide food security every school day for millions of at-risk children. All of COSLA’s students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, according to the Community Eligibility Program guidelines. Food is prepared on-site by COSLA’s Nutrition Services staff to ensure food is hot and ready to serve. We offer breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day, for all scholars. During the pandemic and while offering virtual learning options, we have instituted the COSLA Eats! program to ensure all scholars have the necessary food needed for proper nutrition each day.
Nutrition and health experts recognize the importance of being well-nourished in order to be well-educated and we do too.
A proper diet is especially important for growing children. At this level, the children’s minds are still developing and their bodies are growing fast. Without proper nutrition, a child will lack the vitamins and minerals necessary to facilitate a normal growth. Therefore, we offer a modified menu, serving only chicken, turkey, and fish products and very little sugar or salt.
COSLA Eats! Food Prep Guide
Chicken TendersMicrowave Preparation-Place the plate of chicken tenders in the microwave. Cook time varies depending on how many you're cooking. For example, five tenders require up to 60 seconds to cook while 15 tenders can take 2 ½ minutes.
Oven Preparation-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken tenders on cooking sheet lined with foil. Heat in oven for 10 to 15 minutes until internal temp reaches 165 degrees
Chicken Nuggets
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place frozen nuggets on baking sheet. Heat 11 to 13 minutes.
Frozen Pizza Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the pizza on a piece of foil and put it directly on the rack for even heating on the top and bottom. Alternatively, preheat a sheet pan as the oven heats up for a crisp crust. … Bake for about 10 minutes or until warmed through and the cheese is melted.
Garlic Bread
The frozen garlic bread pieces can go straight from the freezer to the oven. When ready to serve, heat an oven (or a toaster oven) to 425°F. Place frozen bread slices, butter-side up, on a baking sheet. Bake for five minutes or until butter melts and edges are golden.
Chicken Leg
Start by heating the oven to 400 degrees and place the chicken in a high-sided baking dish. Add about ¼-inch chicken broth or water to the dish. Once the oven is heated, place the chicken inside, and heat until the chicken is warmed throughout.
Fish Sticks
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lay fish sticks out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Cover baking sheet with foil to help prevent sogginess. Bake in the oven 5-7 minutes. Remove foil and continue to make for 5 more minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve and enjoy!
Corn Dogs
Preheat oven to 375°F. Place corn dogs on a baking pan. Bake for 26-28 minutes or until heated through, turning occasionally.
Hot Dogs
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Put your hot dogs in a pan or tray. You can use a casserole dish, a roasting pan or even a baking tray (as long as it has a rim for catching juices). ...Cook for 15 minutes. Keep an eye on your dogs. ... Take your hot dogs out of the oven, top them and enjoy!
Turkey Burgers
Microwave Preparation- Place the patties in a microwaveable dish. Heat the patties in the microwave for up to two minutes.
Oven Preparation-Preheat your oven 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Put your patty in a baking pan to make sure the excess fat doesn't drip all over your oven. Place your patty in the oven for about three 15 minutes, depending on the strength of your oven.
Turkey Sausage
Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove sausage from container and place in single layer on rimmed cookie sheet. Place in the oven uncovered, for 20-25 minutes.
Turkey Bacon
Preheat oven to 375°F, and arrange your bacon on a broiler pan or rimmed baking sheet and bake to crisp for 15 to 18 minutes.
Turkey Ham
Heat the oven to 350°F. Place the turkey and spread on a baking dish. Cover the turkey with broth and dot with the butter. Heat in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes.
Sausage Pancake Wrap
Microwave Preparation-Remove from wrapper and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on HIGH for 50-55 seconds or until hot. For compact or microwave ovens lower than 800 watts, add 10-15 seconds, if needed. Let stand in microwave for 1 minute before serving.
Oven Preparation-Remove from wrapper. Place on baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes or until hot.
Pancakes Oven Preparation-Remove from container. Place on baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes or until hot.
French Toast Sticks
Oven Preparation-Remove from wrapper. Place on baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes or until hot.
Egg Patties
Place single layer of egg patties on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes or until hot.
Biscuit & Dinner Rolls
Oven Preparation-Remove from wrapper. Place on baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 10-15 minutes or until hot.
Sweet Potato Fries
Heat your oven to 400 degrees, spread potatoes on a sheet pan and cover them with foil. Heat for 10-15 minutes or until they're warm all the way through.
Roast Potatoes
Heat your oven to 400 degrees, spread potatoes on a sheet pan and cover them with foil. Heat for 10-15 minutes or until they're warm all the way through.
Broccoli, Mixed Vegetables, Spinach, Carrots Place vegetable in a microwaveable dish. Add approximately ¼ cup of water, cover dish over with a plate or lid and microwave on high for 2 1/2 to 4 minutes, until broccoli is tender. Be careful when you remove the broccoli from the microwave. The steam will be hot! Transfer broccoli to a serving dish. Season to taste with butter, salt, and pepper.
Tots
Heat your oven to 400 degrees, spread tots on a sheet pan. Heat for 10-15 minutes or until they're warm all the way through.
Corn on the Cob
Place 1 to 4 ears of corn on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes. Allow to sit for 1-2 minutes. Season with butter and salt. Enjoy!
A good education is a foundation for a better future.
There are several ways to implement a healthy, nutritious diet in school-age children. Children need lots of minerals and vitamins in order to develop the tools necessary to facilitate healthy growth in both body and mind.
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