''2 thumbs up for LBI food''
''While some students look down on food served in school cafeterias, Zoe Deakyne, a sixth-grader at Long Beach Island Elementary School, enjoys getting her lunch there.''
More info"It's a question parents know well: "How was school today?" This year, parents need to ask another question: "How was lunch today?" My hope is that students give an enthusiastic thumbs up, telling a story of a delicious plate full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. But let's be honest: children probably won't say that. Not yet at least.
As I'm sure we've all heard by now, school lunches are different this year. As part of a law that passed in 2010, schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (101,000 schools nationwide) will be serving meals with more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk, and portion sizes appropriate for their age groups. Why? There's a laundry list of reasons, but my favorite is that our kids deserve the best, and it is our responsibility as parents and educators to ensure the food they put in their bodies in school leaves them ready to learn and on a path to a healthy life.
It is critical to create healthy eating habits in children now to help prevent projections that half of U.S. adults will be obese by 2030 unless Americans change their ways, according to a new report released this month by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Many other studies have consistently shown that obesity is associated with poor levels of academic achievement. Fighting obesity is not just a health issue; it's integral to the academic success of our nation's children..."
- Date added:
- Oct 26, 2012
- Project:
- Kids' Safe and Healthful Foods Project
- Topic:
- School Food
Related Resources
''Taste test: Parents to get sampling of RCSD cafeteria food''
"New items such as curried chicken with raisins and apples and broccoli alfredo are part of the City School District’s effort to upgrade its school meal offerings, focusing on foods that are fresh, local and healthy, rather than the old school method of quick and easy."
More info''Letter: Better School Meals''
As we approach the beginning of summer, it is important to realize that students in the Fargo area aren’t just consuming knowledge in the classroom during the school year – they’re also consuming calories from school meals and snacks. In fact, many students consume up to half of their daily calories at school. As summer sets in and meals become less structured, it is important to instill healthy eating habits that the students can carry with them long after the final bell rings.
More info“Randolph County Schools nutritional director receives honor”
"Randolph County's school nutrition director will be honored in July in Kansas City, Mo. for her extraordinary commitment to the school meal programs."
More info“County's Farm to School Yolo viewed as being a success”
"One year on, the Yolo County Department of Agriculture says it is happy with the results of its school lunch program, Farm to School Yolo."
More info“Deadline Looms for Rules About School Vending, Snack Fare”
"Make it a temporary rule, says Jessica Donze Black, director of the Pew Health Group's Kids' Safe & Healthful Foods Project, but just make it by June 30 and adjust it after schools have a chance to see how things work out."
More info“Boise School District announces grants for fresh fruits and veggies for elementary students”
The Boise School District announced that eleven schools within the district have been selected to receive grant money for fruit and vegetables from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
More info“Don’t let new school junk food rules get derailed”
"Imagine this: You are a 15 year-old standing in front of a school vending machine, getting ready to satisfy the snack craving you've had since first period. But lo and behold, instead of cookies and chips, every one of the slots behind the glass contains the same healthy stuff your mom and dad fill the cabinets with at home."
More info''Pittsburgh Takes on the Food Revolution Challenge''
"All over the region, little pockets of activity are coalescing into a collaborative Food Revolution a la Jamie Oliver, the British chef who champions healthier food in schools and elsewhere. Last fall at the One Young World conference held here, he challenged Pittsburgh to revamp its eating habits -- and Pittsburgh's delegates took him seriously."
More infoUSDA Official Answers Questions about Healthy School Meals
"First lady Michelle Obama visited the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) earlier this month and praised the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the 2010 law designed to make school lunches more nutritious. Audrey Rowe, the administrator of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), oversees federal nutrition assistance and education programs, including the 2010 law. Rowe spoke with Tom Fox, a guest writer for On Leadership and vice president for leadership and innovation at the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. He also heads the Partnership’s Center for Government Leadership." More info''Providing Nutritious Meals a Focus in WJCC School System''
"With childhood obesity — and other health issues and nutrition requirements — increasing in schools, Williamsburg-James City County is focusing on providing nutritious meals to students."
More info''Algonac High School Students Enjoy Sample Menu Items''
"Representatives from National Food Group handed out samples of what could be on next year’s menu. Students sampled beef barbacoa with roasted vegetables, whole grain cheese ravioli with chunky marinara sauce and baked cod filet. Other items were cranberry oatmeal bars and breakfast items oatmeal chocolate vertical bars and berry apple crisp vertical bar."
More info''McIntyre Advocates for Healthier School Lunches''
"The Pew Charitable Trust recently issued a statement recognizing this as a significant step to help children nationwide. The School Food Modernization Act would help schools improve their meal programs in two ways. One part of the legislation would authorize a USDA competitive grant program through which schools could obtain training and technical assistance for foodservice employees."
More info''Bipartisan Bill Would Pay for School Kitchen Upgrades, Equipment''
Jessica Donze Black, director of the Pew Kids' Safe & Healthful Foods Project, speaks with Education Week about a bipartisan bill that would provide money for school kitchen upgrades.
More info''Pre-Ordering School Lunches Steer Kids To Healthier Meal Choices''
Jessica Donze Black, project director for Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project, is featured in Time magazine article about healthy school lunches.
More info
