National School Lunch Week
October 11-15, 2021
This year’s theme in Texas is “Feed Your Creativity with a Healthy School Lunch” and encourages creative and fun new menu ideas which appeal to the students. We know school lunch is drastically different from the East coast where clam chowder is on the menu, seafood in the southeast, more meat and potatoes in the Midwest and lots of Mexican style foods in Texas and throughout the southwest. The Northwest offers more cold-water fish. The goal is to prepare all these foods in a healthy and nutritious manner.
The program serves over 30 million children every school and was created in1962 by President John F. Kennedy to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and how it affects them in the classroom, during studies, sports and at home. Many schools have adopted school breakfast which is known to enhance learning. Most schools districts this year are offering free breakfast & lunch for all students due to the Covid 19 Emergency.
If you are involved with the school food service, Child Nutrition Department, or any nutrition aspect of our kids at school, we encourage you to bring your great ideas to the school, cafeteria and special events to promote healthy and nutritious food the kids will eat and enjoy.
Upcoming Events
Active Schools, an Action for Healthy Kids partner, and OPEN invite you to participate in Family PE Week, October 4-8, 2021. The goal of Family PE Week is to help families, schools and communities understand the importance of physical education. View resources here
Walk Across Texas
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is proud to announce the Walk Across Texas! (WAT!) 25th Year Anniversary Challenge! Developed in 1996, the Walk Across Texas! program has reached over 615,000 participants and has contributed to an estimated economic impact of over $2.2 billion dollars.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Grants
Oliver Healthy Choices Grants
Deadline October 15, 2021
Texas Department of State Health Services
Apply for School Health Grants: Up to $10K per Project
Texas Department of State Health Services invites schools and districts to apply for grants of up to $10,000 for projects that inspire students to live healthier lives. The Reaching for Excellence in Texas School Health Grant funds new projects that focus on nutrition, physical activity, or injury prevention.
Eligible projects should engage students, their families, and the community. They also should include plans to continue the project past the initial year.
Application Is Open: 9/1/2021 to 11/12/2021
Schools — Register Today for the October Farm Fresh Challenge
TDA has the resources schools need to bring the fun and excitement of local foods to Texas students during the October Farm Fresh Challenge. The challenge is open to any Texas school operating the National School Lunch Program, Seamless Summer Option or Summer Food Service Program for the 2021-2022 school year. Schools earn TDA recognition by meeting the challenge parameters — Eat Local, Teach Local, and Be Social. Visit Squaremeals.org/FarmFreshChallenge to learn more or pledge participation in the October Farm Fresh Challenge!
Texas Action for Healthy Kids Webinars
How Districts are Addressing The New Physical Education and Health TEKS
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, 11:30am (CST)
Join us as a panel of district physical education leaders will share insights on how Texas school districts will be addressing new health and physical education TEKs and incorporating them into curriculum development, training, and instructional delivery. Register here
Laws Passed during 87th Legislative Session and How They Impact Child Health and Your School Health Advisory Council
Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 11:30am (CST)
What do the new laws mean for your district and your children? Some are supportive of school health but others will be challenging. Join us as we discuss new legislation and how you and your district School Health Advisory Council can approach these new rules. Register here
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