Block Institute's Nutritional Services Program provides meals to every child attending the agency's education programs and to every person in our residential programs.  This includes all individuals with medically documented special diet needs, feeding consistency problems and food allergy issues.

Block Institute is proud to be recognized by the USDA as a Team Nutrition Institution.  This signifies out commitment to serving appealing, tasty and nutritious meals that meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and to improving nutrition awareness and individual's health.

The Nutritional Services Program administers the agency's participation in the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs.  In doing so, we work closely with the medical department and classroom staff to provide appetizing and nutritious meals to every student enrolled regardless of their unique dietary needs.  Block Institute utilizes nutrient standard menu planning to insure that all nutritional requirements, as set forth in the NSLP, are met.

The agency adopts the following goals as outlined in the USDA Schools Meals Initiative for Health Children:

1. Incorporate culinary principals of taste and presentation.
2. Focus on customers served.  Incorporating regional, cultural, ethnic and other preferences.
3. Provide safe meals for all.
4. Make meals accessible to all.
5. Reinforce nutrition education by providing a "learning laboratory" for healthy food choices.
6. Assist in increasing appreciation of food origins, cultural food history, variety of foods and relationship to environment and agriculture.
7. Support and teach the principals of the "social meal".
8. Provide education in the preparation and service of healthy, economical meals.
9. Serve in an encouraging environment with adequate time for meal service.
10. Link with an agency policy promoting healthy food choices throughout all of the Agency's programs.

Program & Director's Awards & Honors:

• New York State Best Practices Award (Oct. 2002) - Accommodating Children with Special Dietary Needs
• NY FARMS!/NYSSFSA Partnership Award (Oct. 2001 & Oct. 2002)
• Best Kids Menu in America 2000 Competition (Feb. 2000) - Honorable Mention
• Outstanding "5 A Day" School - Dole Nutrition Program (June 1998)
• Contributor - NYS Dept. of Education's publication - Nutritious Recipes for School Food Services
• Idaho Potato Commission "Morning, Noon & Night Recipe Contest" (May 2002) - First Prize
• Tyson's Tastes of the Times Cookbook Competition (1998) - Award of Excellence
• National CULLY Award - (1996, 97, 98) - Culinary Excellence in Recipe Development
• 2001 James Beard Award Nominee - Healthy Focus Cookbook Category - Special Foods for Special Kids: Practical Solutions and Great Recipes for Children with Food Allergies