To examine how school meal programs have encouraged good decisions among their students, the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project—a joint initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—commissioned a nationally representative sample of school nutrition department directors. The project also gathered insights on the survey data from a panel of school nutrition leaders whose districts are recognized for their success in serving healthy meals and snacks. The research makes clear that multiple strategies, particularly those that engage children’s creativity and invite their input, have helped instill healthy eating behaviors at schools across the country.
Click here to download the initiative’s new Fact Sheet: Schools Embrace Proven Strategies to Promote Students’ Healthy Eating (.pdf) to get the scoop on how nutrition directors encourage involving kids in food choices and expand meal service beyond the cafeteria.
Need equipment to update your cafeteria or promote/expand your school breakfast program? Fuel Up to Play 60 has grant funding, up to $4,000/school, to support academic success through school-wide healthy eating and physical activity initiatives.
Applications are open online until November 2, 2016 at www.fueluptoplay60.com.
Questions or need help with the application? Contact: Erin Hirte or Crista Hawkins at the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council.