For the first time in decades, the majority of U.S. school children come from low-income families. Florida has one of the highest rates in the country — federal data shows just seven states have a higher percentage of low-income students. That means more students qualify for — and depend on — free meals provided by […]
Miami-Dade school meals are going lean and green this school year. The district is adding smoothies made with Naked brand juices, greek yogurt and vegetarian lasagna. But at an event Monday unveiling the new dishes, the district was most proud of their version of a Miami classic. The âguavalitoâ is a whole grain, lower sugar […]
Rain is terrible when youâre trying to give tours of your new garden. But itâs great for the spinach, sweet potato and purple passion fruit rapidly taking root. On a very rainy day, Kelsey Pharr Elementary third graders Ronnield Luna and Jeffrey Arroyo are showing grownups around what used to be a grass field. Now […]
A recent University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform report concluded charter schools receive less funding than traditional public schools across the country. But that study only looked at revenue, argues Rutgers University researcher Bruce Baker in a new National Education Policy Center review, and ignores the complex financial relationships between school districts and charter […]
Shortly after becoming Agriculture Commissioner, Adam Putnam asked lawmakers to move the state’s school lunch program to his agency. Lawmakers approved the change in 2011. Putnam stopped by WUSF’s studios this week for an interview with Florida Matters. Host Carson Cooper asked Putnam what has changed since his agency took over school food programs. Q: […]
The United States Department of Agriculture says school meals play a critical role in helping children learn how to lead healthy lifestyles. As federal guidelines shift toward healthier fare in school lunches, entrees that are bland and unseasoned wonât do the trick. Leon County Schools Nutrition Services Director Cathy Reed says many schools have gardens […]
Florida and other states are phasing in new standards for school lunches. Fat and calories are being reduced as more fruits and vegetables are offered. The National School Lunch Program requirements stem from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which focuses on improving child nutrition. Starting this school year (2012â2013), school lunches have new […]
âI hate them.â âTheyâre disgusting.â These sentiments are from elementary students around Tallahassee who arenât fans of their schoolâs vegetables. âI cannot think that theyâre actually real.â âOur vegetables donât taste real and they look like green spaghetti.â Fortunately, not all of their peers agree. Today, kids at Ruediger Elementary School are getting broccoli and […]
If youâre interested in what your kids are eating at school, a live webcast tonight will shed some light. The discussion is about changes to school meals and how families can help kids and schools make the transition. The changes stem from the federal Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. It gives the U.S. Department […]
School nutrition will be the big topic at a conference in Orlando today. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will tell the Florida Association of District School Superintendents about moving the school nutrition program to his office. In January, the stateâs program moved from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The […]
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