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 […]
Rain is terrible when you’re trying to give tours of your new garden. But it’s 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 […]
National School Lunch Week begins Monday. Schools around Florida have activities planned to promote new, healthier menus. Federal requirements were put into place this year as part of the National School Lunch Program. Fruits and vegetables must be offered every day to students eating school lunch. Jackie Moalli, Outreach Manager with the Florida Dept of […]
Florida has gone to a lot of trouble to follow federal guidelines for a healthy mix of protein, produce, grains and dairy in school lunches. Local districts follow requirements for proper portions, serving sizes and limits on fat intake — without paying much attention to calories. The restrictions used to be that less than 30 […]
Miami-Dade County Public Schools are beginning an in-school pilot program to educate fourth graders on nutrition, physical well-being and the appreciation of cultural diversity. The program is in partnership with the nonprofit Common Threads. The obesity program is one reason Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho will be honored this week for his work fighting childhood obesity […]
StateImpact seeks to inform and engage local communities with broadcast and online news focused on how state government decisions affect your lives.
Learn More »