According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 percent of children in the United States are considered overweight or obese, and one in three will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

The Liberty Union High School District wants to help its students improve their nutrition and health. Liberty High School will pilot a new lunch program beginning in the upcoming fourth quarter. All other high schools in the district will implement the lunch program next school year.

“Improving the quality of our school meals is a critical step in building a healthy future for our students,” said Assistant Superintendent Gene Clare.

Students will enjoy a combo lunch that includes:

• Both fruits and vegetables every day of the week.

• Increased offerings of whole-grain foods.

• Fat-free or low-fat milk only.

• Limited-calorie meals.

• Reduced amounts of saturated fats, sugar, trans fat and sodium.

• A la carte menu items limited to G2 Gatorade, baked chips and low-fat cookies.

The healthier combo lunches will meet the new USDA school meals standards. Hot entrees will still be served in the cafeteria and combo lunches will be served at all serving areas. These lunches will be priced at $3.

Students are encouraged to use the Nutri-Kids program. As an incentive, first-time users will earn a free lunch after the first 10 lunches. Students will also be entered into a monthly drawing for prizes. Parents can log on to the school website to deposit money, or pay by check/cash on site.