Washington School Lunch for Kids: A Healthier Future Begins Today
For generations, washington school lunch for kids have been an important part of children's health and ability to learn successfully. In Washington, this aspect has never been taken more seriously. As school leaders, parents, and the public become more aware of nutrition, childhood obesity, and equitable food access, the lunch experience for Washington school kids is quietly being revolutionized—one tray at a time. Today, schools, parents, nutritionists, and food service providers are working together to ensure any meal, eaten by any student, is not only filling, but nutritious, balanced, and prepared with care. Now let’s look at how Washington is continuing to pave the way toward a healthier future for kids through better access to healthier school lunch programs.
The Development of School Lunch in Washington The old stereotypes of school lunch—a rubbery slice of pizza or a pile of unidentified meat—are not the reality for many of the schools in Washington. Over the years, these schools have committed to changing their school meals in order to comply with new federal nutrition standards and have developed local policies to support community access to fresh, healthy ingredients. With programs like the Washington State Farm to School Program, schools are sourcing more produce, dairy, and proteins from local sources to support not only child health but the agriculture economy of the state. The farm-to-school
connections are bringing whole new levels of nutrition levels to the cafeteria; its introducing kids to fresh fruits, vegetables whole grains, and lean protein every day. Nutrition Standards: What’s on the Menu? Washington’s school lunch for children is governed by the USDA’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP). These nutritional guidelines require: . Serve fruits and vegetables daily . Provide whole grains rather than refined grains . Limit sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars . Serve age-appropriate portion sizes and calories The nutritional guidelines reflect the intention that children are served food that promotes healthy growth and the energy for an entire school day. Additionally, some schools are exceeding federal school lunch standards by eliminating processed foods, limiting food additives, and providing vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-friendly options, so children can successfully practice diverse diets. Wholesome Food Services: Getting Health into the School Lunch Program An important player in Washington's food revolution in regard to school lunches at non-charter public schools has been Wholesome Food Services. Wholesome Food Services is a well-regarded vendor (the other category of school food suppliers) that works with schools to provide fresh, flavorful, customizable food for kids. Wholesome Food Services relies on local restaurants and chefs to offer variety and flavor. Not only are parents able to select the meals for their kids in advance, but they can make sure their children are eating food that they enjoy that meets the nutritional guidelines of the school. Furthermore, the ordering system for schools makes meal planning accessible and easy, helping families make informed meals. Wholesome Food Services pays attention to great food, safety, and convenience, and is helping change the future of school lunch into something delicious, nutritious and child-friendly. The Importance of School Lunch in Academic Achievement
Good nutrition has a strong link to academic performance. Students who eat balanced meals are likely to:
. Focus in class . Have improved memory and cognitive ability . Stay energized throughout the school day . Exhibit less behavioral problems . Have better standardized test score For many students, and especially low-income students, the Washington school lunches for kids may be the only consistent source of nutrition every day. Thus, it is important to provide healthy, consistent lunches that students want to eat. Instilling Healthy Habits That Will Last a Lifetime School lunch is not simply about filling a hungry student's stomach; school lunch is about teaching lifelong habits. Many Washington schools have collaborated with some form of nutrition education program to help children understand where their food comes from and why it's important. Through classroom nutrition lessons, school gardens, and interactive nutrition programs, students can learn about food in a tactile way in ways that that are fun and exciting. When kids are in the process of choosing, or even growing, their meal, they are more likely to consider trying a new food and adopting a healthier habit than if they were simply served a meal without any prior engagement. Programs like Harvest of the Month, which includes a locally grown food item in the meal served (and/or class activities) help kids develop a new appreciation for food by stroking their curiosity and excitement. Challenges and Opportunities to Come While steps are being taken in the right direction, there are still some bumps in the road to healthier school lunch, such as limited budgets, staff shortages, and barriers to preparing fresh food at scale. Also, disruptions in the supply chain and limited kitchen capacity could ultimately prevent a school district’s ability to offer scratch-made meals every day. Nonetheless, with growing community support, social policy change, and new collaborations with agency partners such as Wholesome Food Services, and with creative solutions found in many different areas – mobile kitchens and refurbished cafeteria equipment, public-private partnerships, grants for
enhanced food programs, to name just a few examples – the energy for sustainable change is evident. Ways for Parents and Communities to Help Parents and communities can make a vital difference in the future of school lunch in Washington. Here are a few ways to get connected: . Be on the Wellness Committee: Nearly every school district has a wellness committee that is responsible for overseeing food and nutrition policies. Parents can provide feedback and advocate for improvements. . Support Local Efforts: Whether it is advocating for local food programs, or supporting school garden and farm initiatives, or showing up at tasting events and menu reviews, parents can help ensure local food is served in schools and often paid for through non-profits and community partnerships. . Talk to Your Kids: Talk to your kids about ways to eat healthier or try new foods. Give your kids small tasks (when possible) such as packing their own lunch or reviewing the lunch menu. . Be Informed: Being in the loop on what is happening with providing school lunch including new congressionally approved federal policies or community food programs you can inform, advocate and engage with. A Brighter, Healthier Tomorrow School Lunch, Another opportunity to positively impact the health, happiness, and academic performance of our future generations! Well, we're not just serving up another lunch, this is a movement! Thanks to improved nutrition standards, modern service providers like Wholesome Food Services, and growing awareness across the public and private sectors, we know our students will be well on their way to a life of wellnes.
