It’s August and many students are headed back to the classroom which means they’re heading back to your cafeteria. Now, more than ever, schools across the country are re-evaluating menus and updating standards to make students healthier and to promote food safety. Here are five great resources to get your cafeteria on the right track, or to help you improve current procedures.
Let’s Move!
What it’s about: First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to help raise a healthier generation of children.
How it can help your school: They provide guidance for everyone in the school from the principal to foodservice staff. Let’s Move! has brought on changes and updated standards to the National School Lunch and National School Breakfast programs and have also launched other initiatives such as Chefs Move to Schools and HealthierUS School Challenge
Important links:
The HealthierUS School Challenge
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Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
What it’s about: FAAN is a credible and trusted source of information, programs and resources for food allergies and anaphylaxis. Their mission is “to raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis.”
How it can help your school: They assist schools in food allergy training and protocol. They also provide detailed information about the different types of food allergies.
Important links:
Safe at School Resources for Schools, Camps and Child Care Centers
Education for School Professionals
School Guidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies
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National Coalition for Food-Safe Schools (NCFSS)
What it’s about: They improve food safety in America’s schools.
How it can help your school: NCFSS provides information specifically for foodservice staff on safely handling food.
Important links:
Food Safety for Foodservice Professionals
Action Guide—Materials for Each Team Member
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School Nutrition Association (SNA)
What it’s about: SNA provides high-quality, low-cost meals to students and have been “advancing the availability, quality and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education since 1946.”
How it can help your school: For one, if you aren’t already a member, you may want to consider becoming one (click here for information). SNA has some information available to the public on their website, but membership includes extensive education and training. SNA sets standards through certification and credentials, gathers and shares several kinds of important school nutrition news, legislation, etc., and represents the nutritional interests of all children.
Important links:
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Other Initiatives
What it’s about: The government and other programs have updated standards and have released new information about nutrition in schools.
How it can help your school: These resources will keep your cafeteria current with the latest initiatives and standards and/or will give you ideas for improvement.
Important links:
World Health Organization (WHO) Global School Health Initiative