National School Lunch Week is one of the best, most fun weeks of the year. Using the #NSLW16 hashtag, we have followed your school lunch celebrations, and enjoyed seeing the beautiful, healthy school lunches being served in cafeterias around the country. This year’s theme is “Show Your Spirit” and it’s clear that our members are doing just that! From fun new promotional menu items to school nutrition staffers dressing up in crazy costumes, one thing is clear—you are showing your #NSLW16 spirit in style!
In honor of our favorite school lunch celebration, we’ve compiled a list of five things to keep in mind this week, and beyond, to continue showing your spirit and promoting school lunch!
NSLW Resources
SNA has a treasure trove of NSLW resources, and it’s not too late to use them! Grab a NSLW16 logo to share to Facebook, and make sure to include some photos of your own school lunch handiwork! Promoting your school nutrition program on social media isn’t just for NSLW, though, so keep up the great work year-round to help raise awareness of the great things you’re doing in your program.
School Nutrition Hero
There is just one week left to submit your nomination for the 2017 School Nutrition Hero Awards! Do you know a school nutrition professional who goes above and beyond their daily duties to create a lasting, positive impact on their community? It’s time to submit their name for consideration for our 2017 School Nutrition Hero Award. The nomination deadline is Friday, October 21, 2016 so hurry and submit your nomination form today!
Farm to School Month
October is home to National School Lunch Week as well as Farm to School Month—talk about a perfect pairing! Help spread the word about your farm-to-school partnerships and the fresh, local ingredients you use in your school meal program. Visit the Farm to School website for resources and more; this month’s theme is “One Small Step,” highlighting simple ways to get informed and involved.
EREF SCrAP Project
If you follow School Nutrition Foundation on Facebook you know that we have partnered with the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) on the School Cafeteria Discards Assessment Project (SCrAP), to quantify food and related waste generated in K-12 cafeterias. The project aims to gather information regarding quantity of waste generated, and obtain an understanding of how waste is managed both at school, and after it is hauled away. Learn more by visiting the SCrAP Facebook page.
PBIC Launch
Finally, we’re thrilled to announce that the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom are now accepting grant applications in ten new states! If you live in Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio,Oklahoma, Texas, or Utah, visit the PBIC website to learn more about submitting your grant application.