Since 2012, Minnesota (5.2% Latino) school districts have been working to expand farm-to-school fresh food options within school lunches, buying local fresh fruits and vegetables and serving up whole-grain fresh bread. Over 27 kitchens within the state now offer fresh, cooked from scratch meals, Bertrand Weber, Minneapolis Public Schools Nutrition director explained to the StarTribune. A department of agriculture had help invest over one million dollars in over 57 districts to help support schools to upgrade their kitchens, buy local produce, make fresh meals and serve more nutritious options. However, a poll taken by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota found that 69 % of parents still worry about physical activity and healthy food access for their students while they are at ...
A new report from the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), using national data, found that the Latino high school graduation rate rose to 78% in 2013 compared to 2007. Toward A More Equitable Future: The Trends and Challenges Facing America’s Latino Children is a new report released by the NCLR which utilized nationally gathered data to shed light on the true state, good and bad, of Latino children in the United States. “When people don’t want to do something, they hide behind data,” said Lori Kaplan, head of the Latin American Youth Center in Washington, D.C. at a recent news event announcing the report. “They say ‘show me the data.’ But smaller operations usually don’t have the resources to gather data to prove that what they know to be true through ...
Why do sodas and other sugary drinks like sweetened coffees, teas, and energy drinks make us more thirsty and want more? We need hydration and water is they key to healthy hydration. Drinking more water and less sugary beverages can help our bodies in numerous ways shows various studies. So now what should we do? How can we fight the urge to sip on our favorite sweet drink? Join the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and FoodStand as they challenge you to drink "Less Soda". The Foodstand app is free to download and you can get great tips, shopping lists, recipes and more to help you kick the can or the sweet beverage of your choice!
Foodstand also helps people build healthier eating habits through community-powered challenges primarily focused on eating less ...
In working on reducing food waste since new rules went into effect in 2012, School Lunch Advisory Councils (SLACs) are now asking students to help other students eat healthier. SLACS, which are composed of a food service director, an educator, and two or three students, are using behavioral economics like encouraging students to nudge or encourage other students to consume more fruits and vegetables at lunch. Montana food directors told The Washington Free Beacon that once the cafeteria put up creative signage like the student's life-sized version of their coach promoting apples and moved their salad bar, lunch waste decreased by 35 percent. “Smarter Lunchrooms uses the basic principles of behavioral economics (the influencing factors behind people’s choices and behaviors) ...
Back in 2012, a family's vision to rebuild old farm into a flourishing urban farm started to take bloom. One of the greatest goals of the new urban farm, called Martin's Garden is that no less than 30% of what they produce or do on the property will be directed towards charities and helping others. For instance, one-third of all vegetable produce being sold to local restaurants and farmer's markets will be donated to the Atlanta Community Foodbank. The farm originated with Mr. Ora Coleman, who shared his farm with the whole community for over 5o years in Roswell, Ga. (13.4% Latino). After Tony and Shari Martin bought the farm, they worked with the city to rezone the land from suburban residential back to agriculture to refurbish up their farm. Now the farm continues to ...
A new bill supporting urban agriculture in Michigan (5% Latino) will open up doors for new economic opportunities and create new ways to increase access to healthy foods. The Urban Agriculture Acto of 2016, announced by Michigan Senator Stabenow will allow more support for urban farmers with new financial tools, support for research, and allow for healthy food to be grown in community gardens and neighborhood farms. “Urban agriculture is steadily growing in cities and towns across Michigan and across our country, creating new economic opportunities and safer, healthier environments,” Senator Stabenow told the local press. “The Urban Agriculture Act will continue this momentum by helping urban farmers get started or expand their business, so they can sell more products and ...
Get ready to get excited about healthy school food by celebrating national farm-to-school month! Every October farmers, families, students, educators and food enthusiasts of all ages celebrate healthy school food and raise awareness about improving child nutrition for all kids in all schools through farm-to-school programs. Our farm-to-school Salud Heroes have helped schools incorporate healthy foods in cafeterias, increase student awareness of healthy foods, grow school gardens and more! How can you get involved? Take the pledge, read inspiring stories, explore resources, or help spread the word! Learn more here! Also, follow #farmtoschool or #f2SMonth on social media to join the ...
Owatonna Public Schools in Steele County Minnesota (7.5% Latino) are celebrating National Farm to School month this October by continuing to implement healthy changes in school lunches. Since 2014 the district has been working with local vendors as much as possible, after receiving $100,000 in grants from Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Minnesota and the US Department of Agriculture the school district has incorporated more fresh turkey meat, and fruits and vegetables from local farmers. Food hubs have also helped bring the school to work with local food vendors who deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to the hubs and then are delivered to the schools. Even options like pizza or hamburgers only available in the High Schools are made with local dough, low-fat cheese, meats without fillers, ...
Sodium is found in many processed food products, like cheese and lunch meats. It's also packed into some foods we don't expect, like frozen lunches or canned beans. Many times when packing a lunch for our kids we might not heed daily recommendations for our kid's sugar and sodium intake, but the American Heart Association has a list of dietary recommendations to follow to help keep sugars and sodium foods to a minimum. Also, Wral.com has suggested 8 simple ways to keep daily sodium intake low. Model healthy eating to your kids.
Consider the school lunches menu and see how healthy it can be!
Go online before dining out at night to research nutritious information on popular dishes that can help you stay in check of high sugar, sodium or calorie amounts.
Pack school ...
