Question:
 My child is going to public school for the first time this school year, and I am uncertain if I should send a bagged lunch. I’m concerned about all the processed food they serve. Donuts for breakfast don’t sound very healthy either. Would you send lunch with yours next year?

Answer:
 As a parent, you get to decide what food you offer your child. But you should know that Janette Broda, Director of School Nutrition in Transylvania County and a registered dietitian, is also a mom of two Transylvania County students. She stands by school meals, saying, “[My kids] eat in the school cafeteria, and it’s important to me what they put in their mouths.”

Over the past four years, Janette has worked hard to diversify the menu, improve ingredient quality, and build a cohesive team for school nutrition.

The commitment to nourishment is evident when you take a look at the Transylvania County School menus. Designed meticulously and four months ahead of schedule, the menus include items like chicken and waffles, sweet potato casserole, and collard greens. Some parents might be shocked to find a “super donut” listed for breakfast. When adults think “healthy,” these items might seem far from the quinoa and kale salad ideal. However, upon closer examination, these meals might be exactly what kids need.

Menus are crafted to appeal to children while still meeting federal meal pattern guidelines. These patterns include daily requirements for milk, meat or meat alternatives, whole grains (80% of which must be whole grain), and fruit and vegetable offerings at each meal. Meals must meet set targets for calories and sodium (with sodium limits continuing to decrease). If consumed, Transylvania County school meals meet 30% of a child’s daily nutrient needs.

Beyond government regulations, Broda has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture through active participation in the farm-to-school program. Say goodbye to “mystery meat” as school lunches now feature 100% beef from Brasstown Farms in Cherokee County. Gone, too, are the bouncing chicken nuggets of old; they’ve been replaced with whole-muscle chicken tenders served alongside a kid-friendly waffle.

Other improvements include the weekly offering of North Carolina sweet potatoes and other local vegetables. In fact, 23% of all produce is sourced within a 100-mile radius of Transylvania County.

And what about the donut? Yes, it’s more processed. But this isn’t your typical donut—the “super donut” is higher in fiber and protein, two nutrients that help stabilize blood sugar and keep tummies full so students can focus on learning. Breakfast needs to be served quickly: staff start their day at 6:30 a.m., and breakfast is on the table by 7:30 a.m. While it is still a processed food, Broda, who believes foods should have minimal ingredients and less sugar, is continuing to work toward that goal. Like all industries, school food service faces production limitations and relies on some minimally processed items.

Before parents start meal-prepping bento boxes, they should consider the cost of school meals. According to Broda, the school meal program is reimbursed $2.84 for breakfast and $4.45 for lunch per child. This reimbursement covers not only food but also labor, employee benefits, and kitchen supplies. To offer high-quality ingredients, Broda often writes grants to offset additional expenses.

Fortunately, meals are currently free for all Transylvania County students for the 2025–2026 school year. Packing a lunch at approximately $5 per day adds up to around $900 annually. Why not give school lunch a try? The more children who participate, the more reimbursement the schools receive which allows them to serve even better meals.

Kids might even try foods they wouldn’t get at home. This year, the school system introduced roasted Brussels sprouts; last year, it was collard greens. The Brussels sprouts were such a hit they had to order more. Isn’t it funny how, in a peer setting, kids are more open to trying new things?

The farm-to-school system enables these kinds of experiences. Broda plans to expand the diversity of offerings even further with a visit to a local farm in Transylvania County this summer. However, schools can only partner with farms that are GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certified. This is a certification that is renewed annually and applies per crop, not per farm. “They have intense safety protocols,” says Broda. So yes, the meat is local, the produce is local, and soon the school system will be sourcing rice from coastal North Carolina, too.

School lunch isn’t just about the food; it’s about relationships. Food can be offered, but if kids don’t eat it, it becomes waste. Building relationships helps children feel loved and safe in an environment where they’re willing to try new things. The dedicated school nutrition staff make that happen daily. As someone who has worked in Transylvania County School Nutrition, I’ve seen it firsthand. The key factor that makes nutrition services successful is employees who love their jobs and love the students.

Experience the farm-to-table school meals for yourself. Parents are welcome to buy lunch and eat with their children during the school week. When was the last time you ate in a school cafeteria? It might just be a delightful surprise.

Erin Massey in Transylvania Counties’ Family and Consumer Science Agent (FCS) as well as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Erin provides families and community members with workshops, classes, and demonstrations related to food and nutrition.

Erin’s expertise ranges from food safety and cooking skills to specific dietary restriction and disease specific nutritional needs.

Have a nutrition or other food-related question? Ask Erin at 828.884.3109 or visit our website for current news and ongoing classes within N.C. Cooperative Extension, Transylvania County Center.