Although the school year is winding down across the country, that doesn’t mean school foodservice professionals are resting on their heels—there is a lot of work to do. So many of you will spend the summer months learning more about, and planning for, the new meal patterns, as well as all manner of administrative tasks that keep your programs up and running.
So what will we be doing here at Beyond Breakfast during the summer months? You already know we are looking forward to ANC 2012 in Denver—we hope to see many of you there!
We would also love to highlight some success stories—your success stories! Have you invited a chef into your school kitchen? Are your kids participating in taste-testing and menu development? Have you already begun to implement changes ahead of the new meal patterns?
Another item on our summer agenda is exploring and sharing resources from both the National Dairy Council and it’s program—in partnership with the National Football League—Fuel Up to Play 60.
New Meal Patterns
We have already talked a lot about the new meal patterns, and we will continue to do so because we know how important this issue is to you and your students. The USDA has released a revised Q&A to the interim rule which you can read online: Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program under the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. (PDF)
ANC 2012
The 2012 Annual National Conference is right around the corner—just a few weeks away! Check out a list of sessions we have our eye on, and don’t forget to stop by the School Nutrition Foundation booth to share your breakfast-in-the-classroom success story with us.
National Dairy Council
Established in 1915, the National Dairy Council remains a leader in the promotion of child health and wellness. The NDC has a terrific website with a lot of useful information; a few of our favorite sections include:
- The Dairy Report: The Dairy Report is the official blog of the National Dairy Council, a place to find news, analysis, and opinion on nutrition and health research. They publish pieces from a variety of featured bloggers, contributing experts, and guest bloggers.
- Child Nutrition: As is fitting for an organization with decades of research and experience in leading the fight against poor nutrition, inactivity, and overweight/obesity among the nation’s youth, NDC has dedicated an extensive section of their website to Childhood Nutrition, with relevant subgroups:
- School Nutrition: Resources to help school nutrition professionals plan menus that meet the new meal patterns, as well as nutrient information and information on the Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge (HUSSC).
- Milk in Schools & Flavored Milk: Resources to help school nutrition professionals deliver critical nutrients to students; includes handouts, fact sheets, and supporting science on milk.
Fuel Up to Play 60
The goal of Fuel Up to Play 60 is to get students, teachers, and administrators—along with the surrounding community—involved in creating a plan to help their school become a healthier place. The program includes both healthy eating and physical activity component, and is designed to foster an interactive commitment to healthier eating and 60 minutes of physical activity every day. FUTP 60 has created plans for students, supporters, and educators to get involved in getting healthy. Additional resources for FUTP60 can be found on the National Dairy Council website; the Fuel Up to Play 60 education kit provides the latest information about the FUTP60 program and resources to help you get involved. Are you interested in joining the FUTP60 movement? Get started here.
Submit Your School Nutrition Success Story
Stay tuned to Beyond Breakfast to learn more about National Dairy Council and Fuel Up to Play 60. Do you have a Fuel Up to Play 60 success story you would like to share? Leave us your information in comments, or email Christina at c.e.uticone@gmail.com.