Brookline Nutrition Advisory Board

Meeting Minutes

September 15, 2006

Present: Elena Olson (Chair, NAB, Runkle parent), Ann Johnson (Food Service Director), Peter Rowe (Deputy Supt. For Admin and Finance), Laura Trust (Lawrence), Helen Delichatsios (Baker), Ruth Helfeld and son (Lincoln), Susan Levin (Pierce), Theresa Gallo-Toth (Runkle Librarian), Virginia Andradas (Lawrence), Eric Rimm (Lincoln), Gloria Rudisch (Health Dept), Hope Ricciotti (Runkle), Andrea Cilley (Runkle)

1. Introductions (Elena Olson )
   Susan Levin from Pierce was introduced as a new member. Several schools were not represented on the Board – Driscoll and Heath. Devotion hasn’t had representatives attend meetings, but there are several Devotion parents receiving emails from NAB. The timing of the meeting makes it difficult for some to attend.

2. Status on Wellness Policy (Peter )
   Policy was “read” at the School Committee meeting. This distribution was in an abridged form without the details and the specificity of the entire policy. The details will be taken up by a subcommittee after a public comment period. Thursday, September 28^th at 7pm the policy will be open for public comment at the School Committee meeting. Peter will let group know where we can make public comments online.

3. New Nutrition Guidelines (Ann )

The proposed Nutrition Policy drafted by a subcommittee of the Wellness Council (also NAB members) is being implemented as “guidelines” for BSFS to follow. The Superintendent recommended that decisions of what is served should come from Ann Johnson’s. Ann has been using these guidelines and recommendations by NAB to make changes in the menus.

4. Update on WFL – beginning of school year (Ann).

New menu/nutrition guidelines went into practice last week with a few complaints and concerns about lack of chocolate milk and total fluid intake, as well as bagels, but for the most part has been a great success. One suggestion regarding fluid intake was to offer glasses filled with water at end of check out or make cups available next to water fountain. This has not been happening at every school. Many parents voiced concerns about the drink – especially if juices are replacing milk - and bagel decisions, but the majority of NAB members present agreed that Ann should stay firm on her changes until we meet again in late October and reevaluate.

Regarding juice options– NAB food critics did mention that juice was not good – very sugary and didn’t taste like real juice.


Menu will rotate every 2 weeks, and focus is on less sugar and fat, and more grains. Pizza is now only offered 2 times per month, as opposed to every Friday. Parents seemed concerned about this since many kids look forward to Friday pizza days. The rationale behind this was to save some money as the Bravos pizza is costly. Parents suggested that Ann look at serving other pizza options, such as pizza bagels, which were very popular when Vinny cooked during the pilot phase at Runkle.


Sales are up 15% over the first 6 days last year. Hope Ricciotti noted that the menu and the many homemade foods and fresh fruits and vegetables is tremendously better than what was on the menu 2 years ago before the WFL pilot began at Runkle.


There was also concern about the type of yogurt offered –Trix and another low fat brand with aspartame. Ann will look to see if there are other options.