Offering fluid milk helps students meet nutrient needs, build healthy eating habits and meet one of the goals of the USDA Pledge for Healthier School Meals.
Making fruit available, whether served whole or cut into bite-sized pieces, provides fiber, nutrients, and energy, and helps students build lifelong healthy eating habits.
Serving whole, nutrient-dense snacks help students stay focused, energized, ready to learn and meets one of the goals of the USDA Pledge for Healthier School Meals.
Incorporating 100% whole grain products takes thoughtful planning and taste-testing with students, but a few practical tips can help make 100% whole grains a regular part of your school meals and meet one of the goals of the USDA Pledge for Healthier School Meals.
Using healthier cooking methods to prepare wholesome meats and meat alternates supports better nutrition, helps schools meet sodium and added sugars limits, improves meal quality and meets one of the goals of the USDA Pledge for Healthier School Meals.
A nutritious breakfast that includes whole, nutrient-dense foods, helps students start the day with steady energy, improved focus, and better eating habits that follow them into adulthood.
Investing in whole foods is an important step to ensure the health of students nationwide and meets a goal of the USDA Pledge for Healthier School Meals.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins writes to remind schools, sponsors, and institutions participating in any USDA Child Nutrition Program, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and the Seamless Summer Option, of the many ways they can purchase local foods to serve in program meals.
We are asking states and food service companies, with the support of school food authorities, to pledge to make school meals and snack programs healthier.
These tool help state agencies analyze recent fiscal data for the SNAP E&T program, overall and by provider, to inform planning and budgeting in future federal fiscal years.