lunch programs

On Oct. 24, physical education teacher Kathy Hibbard held a kickoff meeting at Shaker Lane School (Littleton, Mass.) to introduce students and staff to the "Fuel Up to Play 60" program. Sponsored by the NFL and the National Dairy Council and inspired by a number of recent studies connecting good nutrition and exercise with improved academic performance, the program encourages children to make healthy eating choices and to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

In September, schools began following a federal law to make lunches healthier, but some of the changes have been unpopular with students, and now some schools are searching for solutions.

Hamilton County Schools will no longer invite family and community members to school cafeterias for holiday meals.

Asked to describe the quality of her school cafeteria's food last year, Sophia Santiago wrinkled her nose.

How do you get school kids to pick a black bean taco over cheese pizza and fries?

Organizers of The Children's Hunger Project in Brevard County, Fla., employ a very basic strategy to provide food for low-income elementary students. "We have a nine-word business plan: 'See a hungry kid. Buy food. Feed the kid.' And we keep the operation that simple," co-founder Bob Barnes said.

The Hartley Elementary lunch trays were full of color Wednesday.

Jina Shin, a South Korean schools budget analyst in the U.S. for three weeks of study, stood in a schoolyard among a boisterous crowd of children, teachers and parents at dismissal. The end of the school day at St. Mark's School in Catonsville is fairly typical of most in terms of noise, enthusiasm and organization.