Afterschool programs provide an opportunity to engage students in healthy projects and activities such as lessons, fundraisers, school gardens, and physical activity. Below are resources and ideas for program leaders to develop new programming or incorporate new healthy initiatives into …
Feature Series: Farm to School and Local Food Procurement
This content series highlights the goals, challenges and successes of procuring and serving local foods in school meal programs.
Getting Started
Part I: Food Safety Considerations when Procuring Local Foods for Your Cafeteria
Food remains an important topic with health …
Feature Series: Local School Wellness Policies
As mandated on the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service website, “Each local educational agency that participates in the National School Lunch Program or other federal Child Nutrition programs is required by federal law to establish a local school wellness policy …
Feature Series: Summer Health Maintenance and Food Safety
School’s out! This series provides insights and resources for encouraging healthy eating and exercise practices during the summer months as well as tips for packing healthy and safe picnics and BBQs.
Feeding Children and Teens during the Summer: Summer Food
… Feature Series: Reducing and Managing School Cafeteria Food Waste

Reduce Food Waste
School Food Waste Prevention Techniques: Tips to Develop a Fun and Collaborative Action Plan
The USDA has recently
Feature Series: School Breakfast Programs and Successes
This content series examines the importance of school breakfast and highlights some successful breakfast programs and initiatives that nourish students and help build healthy habits.
What is the National School Breakfast Program and How Does It Work?
A hungry student …
Feature Series: School Gardens
Tips for Beginning School and Family Gardens on a Budget
Building and maintaining a garden can seem like an expensive project, but with some careful planning, it doesn’t have to cost much at all… READ MORE
School Gardens Engage Students:
… Feature Series: Healthy Classroom Celebrations
Fun and health can go together, especially in school parties and celebrations where health activities, food and lessons can positively contribute to health and happiness of students, teachers and staff. This series focuses on ways that parents, teachers, administrators and …
Feature Series: Managing Food Allergies in Schools
Food allergies can create concern for students, parents, teachers and food service directors. This series focuses on ways of safely managing food allergies in cafeterias and classrooms.
Achoo…Am I Just Sensitive or is it a Food Allergy?
Peanut free, lactose …
Feature Series: Moving Veggies off of the Sidelines
Often vegetables take the “sidelines” while meat based dishes rule the court. The proposed 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize higher consumption of plant-based foods, and lower consumption of animal-based foods. This shift calls for some creative menu planning and …