There is substantial evidence that children are not eating the recommended amounts of healthy fruits and vegetables. In an effort to motivate children to eat more fruits and vegetables, school cafeterias are now required to offer a fruit or vegetable …
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a USDA grant-based program that offers funds to schools to provide students with fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day. The program began as a pilot program authorized by Congress in …
Obtaining and Processing Local Foods: A Food Service Director Perspective
While evidence about the benefits of eating local food continues to build, farm-to-school endeavors present challenges when considering unique needs of school foodservice operations. Many districts encounter a variety of barriers to incorporating locally grown food in school cafeteria menus. …
Farm to School Bottom Line
Farm to School is an important and exciting program that supports local economies and promotes student interest in foods that are grown near their school or on site. For the food service director, the financial feasibility of the program is …
Communicating Healthy Eating Messages to Preschool Children
Talking to young children about their health can be challenging—is it better to grab their attention by warning against unhealthy practices or to encourage healthy ones? Preschool children are just developing their skills, especially nutrition and physical activity habits, and …
Kids in the Kitchen
A recent study of parents and their 6-10 year old children found that involving kids in meal preparation promotes healthy eating habits, specifically by increasing vegetable intake (Van der Horst et al, 2014). It also promotes a positive emotional response …
Toppings are the MVP of Ballpark Hot Dog Day
Researchers found that placing fruit under a spotlight can increase fruit selection. That got us thinking – what about vegetables? They are typically selected by fewer than 50% of students. When vegetables are served on the tray, it is typically …
Food Hub Supplies School Kitchens with Local Produce
Despite increasing demand, finding and buying local food can still be a hassle. When feeding hundreds or thousands of school children, convenience is key. Due to cost, quantity and transportation, it can prove easier to source out-of-season apples from across …
Dallas Schools Go Lean and Green for a Day!
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| House Salad and Strawberry, Peach Medley offered on Lean and Green Day |
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| Fresh fruit, vegetables, and Mediterranean Salad on the serving line |
“You are what you eat!” is a notion that implies that to achieve optimal health, we must fuel …
Eating On The Move: Healthy Pack-N-Go Snacks and Meals
Eating healthy is often associated with the false mindset that it’s harder than the other, often more expensive, options such as eating out or buying pre-packed meals. Change For Life, an initiative by the Department of Health in the UK, …