School Lunches
School meals have the potential to serve as a safety net for us all - Megan A. Carney
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Plant-Based School Lunches Are in Demand — but Big Dairy Is Still Prioritized Above Student Health
In the U.S., plant-based diets have skyrocketed in popularity over the last decade, and plant-based meals are now more accessible than ever. Public school lunches, however, have been slow to adapt. Despite reams of data showing that plant-based food is beneficial for both the environment and human body (especially for people of color, who are more likely to be lactose intolerant), most school districts still rely on meat and dairy products to feed their students. This is slowly beginning to change — but why has change come so slowly, and what can be done to speed it up?
Resources
Consumer Reports asks USDA to remove Lunchables from schools' lunch menus
The advocacy group Consumer Reports is urging the federal government to remove Lunchables from the national free and reduced-price school lunch program after an analysis found high amounts of sodium and elevated levels of heavy metals. Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said the meal kits aren't healthy for children and called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to toss the brand from its National School Lunch Program.
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.
Cheese carve-out for school meals threatens student health
As the USDA attempts to reduce sodium in school meals, lobbying from Big Dairy ramps up, culminating in a pair of congressional riders that would reverse progress—at the expense of children's health.
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.
The Trump administration’s tone-deaf school lunch move
The USDA is loosening school nutrition standards as childhood obesity soars.
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.
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.
Do Healthy Lunches Improve Student Test Scores?
A new study identifies a link between food quality and achievement.
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.
Plant-Based School Lunches Are in Demand — but Big Dairy Is Still Prioritized Above Student Health
Students of color are likely to be lactose intolerant — yet dairy-free options in schools are still the exception to the rule.
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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