School Lunches
School meals have the potential to serve as a safety net for us all - Megan A. Carney
image by: USDA
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Why Students Hate School Lunches
MORE than 30 million children trundle through school cafeteria lines every day in the United States and thanks to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which took effect in 2012, they are no longer served greasy pizza, salty French fries and sauced up chicken wings. Meals must now be lower in fat, calories and sodium and contain lean proteins, more fruits and vegetables and whole grains. And kids from coast to coast are wrinkling their noses.
Food and nutrition directors at school districts nationwide say that their trash cans are overflowing while their cash register receipts are diminishing as children either toss out the healthier meals or opt to brown-bag it. While no one argues…
Resources
The Trump administration’s tone-deaf school lunch move
The USDA is loosening school nutrition standards as childhood obesity soars.
Do Healthy Lunches Improve Student Test Scores?
A new study identifies a link between food quality and achievement.
Making Healthy School Lunches Free for All Should Be a National Priority
A professor argues we should destigmatize and better shape school meals to provide much-needed support to children and their families.
What French Kids Eat For School Lunch (It Puts Americans To Shame!)
There are many theories as to why the French, and French children in particular, do not suffer from weight problems, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension like their American counterparts. Eating moderate quantities of fresh and freshly prepared food at set times of the day is definitely one of the most convincing reasons why they stay lean.
Why School Lunches in America Are Unhealthy and 10 Ways You Can Take Action to Improve Them
Debates about school lunch have been going on for more than a century. Learn why school lunches in America have a terrible reputation and how you can help make a difference.
Here's What 10 School Lunches Look Like Around the World
Curious to know how your local school lunch compares to kids' around the world? Here are 10 international destinations and their take on cafeteria cuisine.
What school lunch looks like in 19 countries around the world
While most schools outside the US don't sell lunch, the ones that do usually feed their students healthy meals. Students abroad are more likely to go home for lunch or bring a home-cooked meal.
Why Students Hate School Lunches
Food and nutrition directors at school districts nationwide say that their trash cans are overflowing while their cash register receipts are diminishing as children either toss out the healthier meals or opt to brown-bag it.
100 Days of Real Food
Browse these school lunch ideas with your child and print your favorites for an easy lunch meal plan this week!
Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act allowed USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, opportunity to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children.
National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
School Nutrition Association
SNA is the national organization of school nutrition professionals committed to advancing the quality of school meal programs through education and advocacy.
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