Is your child’s favorite cereal Honey Nut Cheerios? Do they love snacking on popcorn? Without even knowing it, your kids are enjoying the benefits of whole grains!
Whole grains are eaten in their whole form, which means they have the …
What are Whole Grains?
Whole grains are an important part of the diet that add fiber, vitamins and minerals to your daily intake. The recommended amount of grains in the Healthy U.S.-Style Eating Pattern at the 2,000-calorie level is 6 ounce-equivalents per day. Though …
Beverages Make a Difference, Choose Healthy Ones
Sugar sweetened beverages are often the more popular choice compared to low-fat milk and water. Because of this, many of us are unwittingly adding up the calories, and the pounds, and crowding out nutrients needed by our bodies.
The traffic …
Parent Engagement – A Key Ingredient for Successful School Meal Programs
What is Parent Engagement?
Parent engagement is defined as parents and school staff working together to support and improve the health, learning, and development of their children. It is a shared responsibility with schools and the community to engage parents …
Multipurpose Lunch Menu
A food service director told me that the school meal menus are the most read items on the school district website. He knew this because once he was late in getting the monthly menus posted and the calls started coming …
Smart Snacks at School and at Home
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014) 12.5 million youth, between the ages of 2 to 19, are obese. In just one generation the number of obese youth has tripled. Research shows that childhood obesity is a …
Showcasing Food Services at School Events
With an estimated 55 million students in the US attending schools from preschool to 12th grade, schools are in an ideal position to have a significant impact on the health and well-being of children. The face of school nutrition …
10 Facts About School Lunch
Thousands of schools nationwide participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which provides federal assistance for meals prepared and offered in schools. Recently, the NSLP has changed their meal requirements in order to improve the nutritional quality of school
Wellness Beyond the Lunchroom: How to Advocate for Wellness within the Whole School Environment
Providing delicious and nutritious foods in the lunchroom is a huge step in creating a healthy environment for students. Maintaining healthy behaviors in other food settings, such as classroom snacks and even afterschool and home meals, is equally important to …
How to Engage Parents in School Wellness Policies and Action Plans
Parents can be key players in school wellness efforts. From wellness committee membership to volunteering at one-time events, parents provide valuable input, assistance and support. Use this “how to” sheet to motivate and recruit parents to join your school’s wellness …