Meals and dining services

School nutrition: Why some worry it’s at a “perilous juncture”

A range of financial, logistical and regulatory challenges have the potential to disrupt school meal service as pandemic relief funding expires and stricter standards arrive, advocates say. 

3 things other than quality hinder school food service. Here are the solutions

Staff shortages, rising costs and family meal debt are the biggest challenges that school food service face, according to a survey that also finds the staff have confidence that healthy ingredients are being served.

Free school meals drove a surge in participation. Here’s how to keep it going.

Nearly 30 million students per day received lunch at school and more than 15.5 million had breakfast in the 2021–2022 academic year as more children returned for in-person instruction.

Why providing free school lunch is more important than ever

Paying less than 50 cents per meal might seem trivial to the 90% of Americans who are food secure, but it creates a substantial financial barrier for others.

Healthier school meals rules are looming. Here is what they look like

Reducing salt and sugar content across school menus is the leading goal of new nutrition standards that may soon be served up in cafeterias.

School lunches: The chance to socialize is bringing more teens to the table

Interacting with friends and affordability are key reasons that high school lunch service is soaring in popularity with students, according to No Kid Hungry's latest report.

Healthy meals: Schools now have access to $50 million for nutrition

Grant funds will help K-12 leaders procure a wider variety of healthy, appealing meals while promoting innovation by food suppliers.

Will schools ever provide universal free meals? Now, help is on the way

Serving healthy and free meals to all students is a key pillar of the Biden Administration's wide-ranging effort to wipe out child hunger.

6 strategies for retaining school food service employees

Creating a positive culture where school nutrition employees enjoy coming to work has always been a priority. In the current labor market, it’s more critical than ever.

How to prepare your school for the end of free meal waivers this fall

Students will continue to eat free lunch this summer but, unless there is further Congressional action, districts will soon face the heavy administrative lift of K-12 food service.

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