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Ohio District Sees Great Results for Breakfast in the Classroom

When some teachers first hear “Breakfast in the Classroom” they can be skeptical about the idea of encouraging food and eating in their rooms. But with a well-planned rollout, Garfield Heights City Schools (Ohio) Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program quickly won over both students and staff with its benefits. 0-4

“The staff recognizes what a good thing BIC is for our kids and are willing to work together to make sure that it is effective and works for everyone,” said GHCS Teacher Tarese Lapelli. “Because of better access to healthy breakfast, student attention is better, there is less tardiness, we don’t see the typical hunger mood swings and sleepiness, and the kids are more prepared for learning.”

While any BIC program will need tweaks or alterations to make it work best for the school, Lapelli said “it is all about how you approach it with your kids – go in with a positive mindset.” Read more…

Breakfast Service Options On the Rise at Whiteville City Schools

After implementing a universal free Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program for its elementary and middle schools, Whiteville City Schools (NC) breakfast participation increased from 30 to 80 percent. Building off that success, Director of Nutrition Services Jamesie Gentry wanted to implement “Grab and Go” and “Second Chance Breakfast” options at the high school for the 2018-19 school year.

Whiteville went through a few different iterations before finding success in the ‘Grab and Go’ to the classroom model, which increased participation in its middle school from 30 to 80 percent. Read more…

School District Serves Meals for ‘Breakfast, Lunch and Supper’

While most school districts focus on offering nutritious breakfast or lunch options during the school day, Crane Schools (AZ) School Nutrition Director Michael Clark saw an opportunity to help students further by transforming an unprofitable after school snack program into a thriving supper meal program. Read more…

New Year, Nu-trition: Schools Support Healthy Eating Resolutions

When looking to make healthier eating choices, it’s best to go right to the experts for tips! The same can be said for getting school-aged children to eat healthier in the New Year. The tried-and-true techniques school nutrition professionals have successfully used in the school cafeteria to get students to consume healthier food options can easily translate to good habits at home. Read more…

Maine Students Enjoy School Meals Made With Homemade Touch

Helping students in the school cafeteria feel like they’re eating mom’s homemade meals is an ongoing effort that York Schools Nutrition Department staff in Maine is very proud of. School cooks, menu planners and head chefs have worked tirelessly to provide menu options – from scratch-made chicken pot pies to vegetarian sushi – that are made in-house with as many local ingredients as possible. Read more…

Schools End 2018 With Holiday Splendor

Union County Schools (GA) showed how to get in the holly jolly spirit, celebrating their students before winter break. The district’s cafeterias were full of fun events and holiday activity, including student costumes and transformation of cafeterias into winter wonderlands. Read more…

School Cafeterias Serve Up Holiday Cheer

School nutrition professionals take decorating their cafeterias as seriously as building their monthly menus – creating festive and welcoming environments for students to kick off the holiday season before winter break.

48357416_770886483256358_3972090951974780928_n — The famous Staunton City Schools (VA) Chef Santa watches over students as they fill their lunch trays with fruits.

Keeping with culinary arts and nutrition education messages, many cafeterias are decked out with food or cooking themes. Bulletin boards of Christmas trees, mischievous elves and playful snowmen can be seen spreading holiday cheer. Staunton City Schools (VA) have a Chef Santa who watches over the serving line, “checking twice” to make sure students are taking the proper servings of fruits and vegetables. In the School City of Hammond (IN), a red lunch tray ornament graces the food service manager’s tree, a gift from a holiday staff ornament party.

Survey Prompts Major Updates to Nutrition Program

Wazyata Public Schools ‘ (MN) nutrition professionals spent the summer of 2018 overhauling the nutrition program in the district’s Culinary Express. They created new school menus, with delicious scratch-made recipes, including homemade chicken noodle and chicken wild rice soup, vegetable lo mein, spicy black beaned burgers, baked ziti and pork carnitas burrito bowls.

While revamping the Culinary Express website, school nutrition staff worked with a local food hub and marketing company to help provide more opportunities for nutrition education, including new graphics, cafeteria posters, food mascots, etc. The innovative changes to their school nutrition program were prompted by survey feedback from parents and staff.

Plenty to be Thankful for in Livingston Parish School Cafeterias

Preparing a healthy Thanksgiving feast for 20,000 students and parents is quite a challenge, but Livingston Parish Public Schools (LPPS) in Louisiana rises to the occasion. The district staggers their holiday lunches, giving parents an opportunity to join their children for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays. Read more…

Vertical Hydroponic Farming Takes Elementary School To New Heights

Students at Hopewell Elementary School (HES) in New Jersey have cultivated an impressive Farm to School program that incorporates important school lessons while also providing produce for school cafeteria menus. Read more…