"In the long view, no nation is
healthier than its children,
or more prosperous than its farmers." - President Harry Truman, on signing the
1946 National School Lunch Act.
Through the Years
The National School Lunch Program was created in 1946 when President Truman signed the National School Lunch Act into law. The National School Lunch Program is a federal nutrition assistance program. Through the years, the program has expanded to include the School Breakfast Program, Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Feeding Program and the Summer Food Service Program. In 1962, Congress designated the week beginning on the second Sunday in October each year as "National School Lunch Week."
The video below looks at the school lunch program from the late 1930’s to the present day and includes President Obama signing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. One can see from the photographs some of the changes in the foods provided. There is an increase in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and lowfat dairy. (Part of the video has clips from a film produced by the USDA in the mid-60s.)
When I think of the School Nutrition program my first thoughts turn to Dayle Hayes, MS, RD and Darlene Moppert, MS, RD. These registered dietitians and nutrition experts are advocates for our children. In addition, they take the time to teach, educate, and enlighten the school staff, parents, family, media and legislators.
Recently, Dayle initiated a “Give Thanks ... for the School Nutrition Heroes who make “SCHOOL MEALS THAT ROCK.” Acknowledging the hard working people who help feed our children is a positive step in recognizing what is right about our school meals.
School Meals that Rock is a place to share and celebrate what is right with school nutrition in America. It is a counter-revolution to the media bashing of school meals and a tribute to every lunch lady (and gentleman) working to do amazing things for kids' nutrition.
I encourage you to visit School Meals That Rock and see what progress is being made in our schools.
Darlene Moppert, MS, RD took a giant step to offer students the ability to purchase vegan menu items in the National School Lunch Program. Each year Darlene, the Broward County Public Schools and the Broward County Dietetic Association sponsors a National Nutrition Month Poster Contest. The event helps educate children, families and the community. Recently, Darlene Moppert participated in a Broward School workshops to help teachers with disabled students.
Darlene Moppert, RD, Program Manager, Nutrition Education and Training, Food and Nutrition Services, Chairperson, Nutrition Committee is involved with families and community organizations. She addresses food and nutrition issues, recommends nutrition policy and programs, and ensures school meals are culturally diverse and meet special dietary needs. Learn more at the Broward County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services.
School Lunch Resources
Organizations, Associations, and Programs
School Nutrition Association2012 Theme: “School Lunch – What’s Cooking?” Recognized as the authority on school nutrition, the SNA has been advancing the availability, quality and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education since 1946. The School Nutrition Association is a national, nonprofit professional organization. Mission. To advance good nutrition for all children.
National Farm to School MonthFarm to School is broadly defined as any program that connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the goal of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing agriculture, health, nutrition education, and supporting local and regional farmers. Farm to School programs exist in all 50 states, but since Farm to School is a grassroots movement, programs are as diverse as the communities they serve.
About the Farm to Preschool program at UEPI, Occidental College
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) 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. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.
Kids Eat Right your source for scientifically-based health and nutrition information you can trust to help your child grow healthy. As a parent or caretaker you need reliable resources and you can find them here, backed by the expertise of nutrition professionals.
Team Nutrition. Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Materials. Campaign launched by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to encourage and teach children, parents, and caregivers to eat healthy and be physically active every day. Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ is about making America's children healthier. It's about practical suggestions that will help you motivate children and their caregivers to eat healthy and be active. Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Campaign messages and materials are fun for children and informative for caregivers. Building Blocks for Fun and Healthy Meals; Fact Sheets For Healthier School Meals
Choose MyPlate. The website features practical information and tips to help Americans build healthier diets.
Let’s Move is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping children become more physically active.
Elmo Doesn't Fear Obama's School Lunch
Elmo joins White House Chef Sam Kass in White House kitchen to talk about the importance of healthy and delicious school meals following President Obama's signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.
Action for Healthy Kids, we believe there are ways to reduce and prevent childhood obesity and undernourishment. Learn how Action for Healthy Kids is working with schools, families and communities to help our kids learn to be healthier and be ready to learn.
National Dairy Council® (NDC) Child Nutrition Fuel Up To Play 60 sponsored by National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school program that encourages the availability and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, along with at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
Additional Resources The Chefs Move to Schools program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will help chefs partner with interested schools in their communities so together they can create healthy meals that meet the schools’ dietary guidelines and budgets, while teaching young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choices. Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). The legislation authorizes funding and sets policy for USDA's core child nutrition programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act allows 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.
Priceless: School Lunch
"Priceless" launched the campaign depicting the cafeteria tray as the conduit for a reformed school food system that supports healthy children, local farms, and smart schools. The video was created by three IATP Food and Society Fellows, Shalini Kantayya, Nicole Betancourt, and Debra Eschmeyer to raise awareness for the Child Nutrition Act.
Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture stated “National School Lunch Week reminds us how important it is that our children be healthy and active, that they not go hungry, and that they have access to nutritious meals."
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