Category: School nutrition

According to the World Health Organization, better nutrition is related to improved health, stronger immune systems, and better learning outcomes. This foundational research underscores the critical need for schools to have more food options to support student well-being and academic achievement.

According to a 2025 UNICEF report, obesity surpassed underweight as the more prevalent form of malnutrition among school-aged children and adolescents globally, and poor quality school meals are a significant contributing factor. While school lunches are intended to provide essential sustenance, many factors compromise their nutritional value, directly affecting student health and educational outcomes.

According to a 2021 CDC study, many students are more likely to consume fast food if their school is in close proximity to a restaurant. This proximity fuels the complex discussion around whether, and under what circumstances, why fast food is good in schools, with arguments citing potential benefits ranging from student satisfaction to district economics.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a reimbursable breakfast under the National School Breakfast Program requires three food components. The structure is designed to provide students with a balanced and healthy start to their day, with specific guidelines for the food groups that must be included.

According to the USDA, implementing Offer vs. Serve (OVS) is associated with significantly lower levels of plate waste for fruits, vegetables, and overall calories. This practice, however, is often misunderstood, particularly regarding whether its application is optional for breakfast programs across all grade levels or if it follows the same mandates as lunch service.

According to the Food Research & Action Center, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provided 4.9 billion meals to more than 27 million children in 2022 alone, raising the question: Who funds school lunches in the US and how is this massive effort managed?. This complex system involves multiple layers of government, special provisions for high-needs areas, and other creative revenue streams to ensure students have access to nutritious meals.

According to the USDA, over 30 million children participate in the National School Lunch Program, where fluid milk remains a required component. This means milk is indeed still served in schools across the country, though the types of milk offered have evolved significantly due to shifting nutrition guidelines and dietary concerns.

According to the American Egg Board, a single large egg provides approximately 6 grams of high-quality protein. Therefore, the answer to 'do school eggs have protein?' is a resounding yes, as they are a nutrient-rich and affordable source of this essential macronutrient for growing students.

Nearly 15.4 million children participated in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the 2023–2024 school year, demonstrating the program's vital role in child nutrition. A reimbursable school breakfast is a meal that meets specific federal nutritional standards, allowing participating schools to receive government funding for each qualifying meal served.

According to the School Nutrition Association, over 29 million students are served lunch each day through the National School Lunch Program in the US alone. This widespread program prompts a critical question: should schools serve better lunches to these millions of students? The answer involves a complex interplay between student welfare, educational outcomes, public health, and economic realities.