The Food Service Directors from all of the participating districts work together with their nutrition expert, Julie Tucker, RD, CDN, SNS, to plan the menu.  Most importantly, all new products and recipes are KID TASTE TESTED before they are placed on the menu!

Rock on Café has aligned lunch menus to meet the USDA HealthierUS School Challenge standards.  The HealthierUS School Challenge is a voluntary initiative in which schools work to create healthier school environments.  In January 2010, six elementary schools in Binghamton received the HealthierUS School Challenge Gold Award.  Currently, Rock on Café is working for more schools to receive HealthierUS School Challenge Awards.

Rock on Café is also working hard to lower the sodium content of school meals.  Lowering sodium in the schools is an important part of creating a healthy school environment for our children.

The Fruit and Yogurt Munchable is one of the most popular new Rock on Café menu items.  The Fruit and Yogurt Munchable features yogurt, a mozzarella cheese stick, one half of an Ultimate Breakfast Round (a whole grain breakfast bar), apples, grapes, oranges, or other fresh fruit.  The Fruit and Yogurt Munchable is served with a wheat roll and milk.

The Rock on Café lunch menu features a “Salad of the Week” each week.  The Turkey Bacon Ranch Salad is the newest Rock on Café salad.  The Turkey Bacon Ranch Salad is made of low-sodium turkey, romaine lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and bacon bits.  All Rock on Café salads are served with a wheat roll.

If your child has food allergies or other special dietary needs, download the Diet Prescription for Meals at School form.  This form must be completed and signed by a licensed physician.  Send the completed form to the Rock on Café Registered Dietitian:

Julie Tucker, RD, CDN, SNS
BOCES Food Service
254 Robinson Street
Binghamton, NY  13904

The Rock on Café Registered Dietitian will review the form.  Schools will provide appropriate lunches to children with food allergies or other special dietary needs.

Julie Tucker, RD, CDN, SNS, the Rock on Café Registered Dietitian, plays many roles in the school lunch program.  She is involved with menu planning, and assures that monthly menus align with the HealthierUS School Challenge standards.  Julie is also involved in recipe development activities, helping to create new recipes using the most nutritious ingredients possible.  She also creates Rock on Café educational and promotional materials.  If you have nutrition-related questions, please use the “Ask the RD” feature on our website.