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Did you know we celebrate National School Lunch Week? This year school districts across the country celebrated on Oct 14-18 in hopes of bringing attention to the National School Lunch Program. The program serves approximately three million children across Texas. Schools are required to increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free/ low-fat milk while reducing the levels of sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat. They are doing all that while meeting the nutritional needs of students within their calorie requirements.
Eating a balanced and nutritious lunch helps bolster immune systems, build strong bones, lowers the risk of obesity, and increases brain function. Studies have shown that students who eat healthy lunches perform better on state tests and have better focus in school. Economically disadvantaged students are guaranteed at least one nutritional meal while they are at school, which has led to higher attendance rates.
A routine of healthy lunches lowers students’ overall sugar and sodium intake while it teaches them lifelong healthy eating habits.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Why School Meals Matter
- USDA: FACT SHEET: Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act School Meals Implementation
- Berkeley: School Lunch Quality and Academic Performance
Here is how some of our Go Public Gulf Coast school districts honored National School Lunch Week:
{Deer Park ISD, San Jacinto Elementary, Farm Fresh Initiative, Top of Texas Apples}
Deer Park ISD’s schools and Child Nutrition Department are participating in the Farm Fresh Initiative, regularly serving a different fresh fruit or vegetable from a local Texas farm.
San Jacinto Elementary and DPISD schools served Honeycrisp Apples grown at “Top of Texas Apples” in Farwell. Later this month, schools will focus on bicolored corn from J & B Farms in Pearsall, mushrooms from Kitchen Pride Farm in Gonzales, and grapefruit from Edinburg Citrus in Edinburg.
Photo: deer park lunch
{Galena Park ISD, Havard Elementary, #txnslw}
The Galena Park ISD Student Nutrition Staff was celebrating National School Lunch Week with smiles and a selfie station!
Photo: galena park lunch
{Lamar CISD}
Lamar CISD has enjoyed celebrating their incredible Child Nutrition team and their excellent cafeteria staff this week. We thank these individuals for all that they do to serve our students a healthy and balanced lunch each and every day!
Photo: Lamar lunch
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