School Lunch Week Was Celebrated This Week

October 16, 2009 – National School Lunch Week was celebrated from October 12 through October 16.  According to the School Nutrition Association (SNA), the event was a success.  This year’s theme, “All-Star School Lunch,” encouraged students to learn about the importance of healthy school meals and physical activity.  School districts around the country celebrated the week with special NBA-inspired menus and invited parents, local celebrities, and area sports heroes to enjoy balanced and nutritious school lunches with students. 

U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and his wife joined members of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team and representatives from the D.C. Public Charter School Board and Revolution Foods for a visit to D.C. Prep Edgewood Elementary and Middle School Campuses in northeast Washington, D.C., to commemorate the Week.  The Secretary and his wife toured the school, participated in a soccer clinic, conducted lunchtime readings and led discussions with students. 

D.C. Prep offers students healthy meals through the Revolution Foods service and focuses on wellness through activities such as physical education, recess, and field trips to local grocery stores.  And students at the D.C. Prep Edgewood Middle School Campus also boast some of the highest academic achievement in the city. 

The U.S. Department of Education is currently leading a “Fueled and Fit: Ready to Learn” campaign to highlight the research-based connection between proper physical fitness/nutrition and student achievement.  The idea behind the campaign is that healthy and fit bodies equal active and creative minds.  In the next six weeks, Department officials will be visiting schools to highlight the importance of wellness and fitness.

School nutrition – progress has been made, but a lot more needs to be done

Two new reports discuss the current nutrition landscape within schools and around the country.  The School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) “School Nutrition 2009 Survey” indicates that school nutrition programs have increased the prevalence of healthy options with peak gains seen in vegetarian offerings and low fat prepared/packaged foods.  Nevertheless, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) first “State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009” reveals that there is still a lot that needs to be changed in this front as, currently, no U.S. state is meeting national objectives for consumption of fruits and vegetables.   

The SNA report shows that locally-grown fruits and vegetables are included on more menus as 37% of those surveyed indicate that they offer these items and another 21% of districts are considering offering them.   These results show that, despite the difficult economy, school nutrition professionals nationwide continue to provide children with high quality, nutritious foods and educate them on making the right food choices.  However, the tough economy has forced nearly 60% of districts to increase their school lunch prices to keep up with the cost of preparation.  In addition, the report shows that participation in free/reduced meal program has increased across every grade level since 2005. 

The CDC report, on the other hand, reveals that, on a daily basis, only 32% of high school students are eating at least two servings of fruit and only 13% eat at least three servings of vegetables.  The report highlights three key policy and environmental areas that need to be emphasized in order to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among the U.S. population: healthier food retail; food system supports; and the availability of healthier foods in schools.  According to the report, schools are in a unique position to influence and promote fruit and vegetable intake among youth, school staff, parents, and other community members.