In order to provide a nutritious, filling meal to all students. St. Louis Park schools rely on the School Nutritional Advisory Committee to mediate lunches.

The goal of the School Nutritional Advisory Committee (SNAC) is to provide lunches and snacks to students that meet all nutritional requirements set by the government and USDA.

When SNAC was created two years ago, its goal was to provide a healthy lunch to students at all St. Louis Park schools.

According to freshman Carly Livingston SNAC is an important tool for the school to have.

“Yes, I think (SNAC) is important,” Livingston said. “School might be the only time students get a full nutritious meal.”

During the last two years the committee has worked to implement some changes to the system.

According to committee chair Mark Eilers, during the first year of conception SNAC worked to reduce the amount of unhealthy chemicals found in the different foods offered.

“Two years ago we eliminated foods with unhealthy dye,” Eilers said. “The school changed food supplies so that canned foods don’t have dyes.”

The committee’s goal, according to Eilers is to implement a change every year.

“Last year we really focused on changing the vending machines and getting high sugar snacks and corn sweetened products removed,” Eilers said.

This school year SNAC hopes to provide an economically feasible salad bar as well as offer fewer frozen foods to students.

“We would like to explore the feasibility of having a salad/sandwich bar as well as providing ‘scratch cooking’ versus what we currently have, which is prepared and frozen foods,” Eilers said.

Eilers also said with all the changes proposed they would need to be affordable to students and comply with U.S. government regulations.