The meals are prepared in accordance with the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program Standards and the City of El Paso Department of Public Health. The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, free lunches to youth each day. The Juvenile Justice Center promotes youth’s health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity. The Juvenile Justice Center must provide a Nondiscrimination Statement and Complaint Filing Procedures. Please see below for the Department’s Wellness Policy and the Department of Agriculture’s required statement

• Participate in the Texas Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Program (National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program).
  
  
• Regulated by United States Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Juvenile Justice Department and El Paso City Health Department.
  
  
• In 2016 the unit implemented scratch cooking for healthier meals and snacks as this allows to provide juveniles with bigger portions as juveniles do not have access to extra meals or commissary. Juveniles were introduced to cultural foods. This also includes cooking demos/ classes and presentations for juveniles.
  
  
• Modernized kitchen equipment to improve kitchen functionality. Kitchen equipment was outdated and not working properly. Equipment includes food warmer, ice machine, steamer, grill, slicer, choppers, blenders, dishwasher, fryer, combo double oven- flattop-stove, tilt skillet, can racks, modern catering equipment.
  
  
• Compliance with Texas Department of Agriculture, U.S. Marshal’s Service and Texas Juvenile Justice Department requirements.
  
  
• On 2020-2021 the department was audited again by the Texas Department of Agriculture and had zero findings and received a perfect score and the department was commended by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
  
  
• In 2020 the department purchased Mosaic Menu program used by School Districts nationwide to help balance out menus by providing the calorie, sodium and fat intake per meal, day, and week. It allows to control portion sizes. Once the menus are created, they are reviewed and approved by dieticians from El Paso Independent School District.
  
  

For any questions, concerns or if interested in participating in any aspect of the Wellness Policy, please contact Albert Mendez, Interim Deputy Chief of Finance/Operations at (915) 849-2500, and/or Amendez@epcounty.com. El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department is an equal opportunity provider and employer.