News & Notes on School Nutrition

Students Fight Back Against Poor Lunches

School Nutrition Staff — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:56:23 +0000

Chicago high school students are fed up with the lunches they’re being served in school. Several of them started a coalition to urge the administration to overhaul the menu, remove fast food items and add more nutritious, low-calorie options. Read more here.

New Study Shows Fed. Nutrition Programs Will Help End Childhood Obesity

School Nutrition Staff — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:55:42 +0000

A study that was recently published in the national policy journal Health Affairs found that federal nutrition programs are part of the solution to the childhood obesity problem. Read more here.

School Lunch Bill Clears Senate

School Nutrition Staff — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:55:34 +0000

Senators passed on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 for a final vote on legislation. It would commit and extra $4.5 billion to child nutrition programs over the next ten years and would set new nutrition standards for schools. Read more here.

Snacks that Make a Difference

School Nutrition Staff — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:43:00 +0000

In Englewood, NJ, the Center for Food Action (CFA) is beginning a program that will provide kids who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches with healthy, kid-friendly snacks for the weekends. This effort is part of the Weekend Snack Pack Program, which serves more than 90,000 children each year. Read more here.

Grants Kick Up Health in Colorado

School Nutrition Staff — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:43:50 +0000

Thanks to a grant-funded program, employees at ten schools in Thompson School District (CO) will add nutrition education and physical activity to their days. This $10,000 grant opportunity, known as Healthy Kids Learn Better, was extended to nine other districts in the state. read more here.

School-Based Weight Loss Management Programs

School Nutrition Staff — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:42:45 +0000

School-Based Weight Loss Management Programs
A recent study suggests that a school-based weight management program may be an effective way to reach a large number of kids. Read more here.

South Carolina Ranks High in School Breakfast Participation

School Nutrition Staff — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:17:58 +0000

Second only to New Mexico, which boasts 63% participation in the National School Breakfast Program, South Carolina is celebrating the fact that just over 60% of their students are eating breakfast at school. Administrators say it’s paying off: school nurses are reporting fewer students coming to them with stomach aches in the morning and principals are reporting fewer disciplinary problems. Read more here.

North Philadephia School Fights Back Against Obesity

School Nutrition Staff — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:36:35 +0000

At John Welsh Elementary, school administrators were tired of seeing the unfortunate health effects of childhood obesity on their students. To remedy the problem, they brought in a local non-profit group called The Food Trust to implement low-cost but effective life-changing standards for the school. Read more here.

The Pirates of the Carrot Bean Sail into a Middle School Gymnasium

School Nutrition Staff — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:35:45 +0000

Middle School students at Four Corners School in Superior, Wisconsin were recently treated to a musical performance from University of Minnesota Duluth graduate students that promoted healthy eating, hand washing and exercise. Read more here.

In Support of the “Let’s Move” Campaign, Verizon Offers Free Resources

School Nutrition Staff — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:35:31 +0000

In Support of the “Let’s Move” Campaign, Verizon Introduces Free Resources
To show their support of the First Lady’s campaign to defeat childhood obesity, Verizon Thinkfinity launched a new feature highlighting free educational resources to help teachers and parents educate their students on nutrition and encourage an active lifestyle. You can find podcasts, videos, lesson plans and printable worksheets for use in the classroom, at home or by after-school programs here.