Vital Village Networks’ Post

As we celebrate #NationalSchoolMealsWeek (#NSMW24), it’s the perfect time to reflect on the role school meals play – not just in children’s physical health, but also in their mental and academic well-being. This week, LACA - The School Food People is highlighting the critical importance of school meals. With the rollout of free school meals for new students in Wales and other parts of the UK, many more young people will be engaging with school meals than ever before. It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase the impact school food can have on young people’s lives. But are schools truly equipped to meet these needs under the current School Food Standards? Recently, an article in Tes asked why many schools are failing to comply with the government-mandated School Food Standards – a question that reveals complex challenges faced by educators, catering teams, and policymakers. Our co-founder, Nathan Atkinson, shared his perspective on this critical issue. https://lnkd.in/e7zHt5qJ #healthypeoplehealthyplanet

Shocking Truth: Supermarkets Sell Less Than 20% Fresh Food! Join us for a powerful panel discussion unearthing the challenges of food quality, education disparities, and the community's fight for change. Featuring expert voices, we dive into the urgent need for fresh food access and effective education in underserved areas. Let's spark a nationwide movement for better health and education! #FoodQuality #EducationReform #CommunityImpact #HealthyLiving #PanelDiscussion #BronxVoices #SocialChange #FreshFoodAccess #CommunityProgram #HealthySchools

Today's Friday affirmation: Food Education Standard #7: We can advocate for food choices and changes that impact ourselves, our communities, and our world 🗺️ 💙 💪 We believe that young people have the power to make meaningful changes to their food systems. That's why our Food Education Fellows end their school year by leading a food advocacy project with their students. Every food advocacy project looks different: some classrooms choose to advocate for changes in their cafeteria by meeting with their school nutrition and administration, some start food drives or share tables to combat food waste in their school, some practice talking with friends, family, and even local businesses about changes they want to see made. Food advocacy means something different to all of us, but ALL acts of advocacy are important steps in changing our food system for the better! What does food advocacy look like for you? #foodadvocacy #foodeducation #fridayaffirmation #foodsystemschange #pilotlightchefs #studentadvocacy #foodsystems

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) recently announced to Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) vendors and partners a cut in HIP benefits incentives. HIP allows for families who qualify for SNAP/EBT benefits to purchase fresh, locally grown produce from HIP vendors (local farms and CSA programs) and get money back on their SNAP/EBT card to use for other food purchases. This benefit helps increase food access to fresh, local produce for vulnerable populations and supports the local environment by increasing access to produce from local farms and CSA programs. Beginning Dec. 1st, HIP benefits will be cut to $20 per month regardless of household size. It currently ranges from $40-$80. This is a a 50% reduction in benefit for the vast majority of SNAP households. The Campaign for HIP Funding is asking the Governor and legislature to dedicate an additional $10 million to HIP for the fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget to stop this cut. Opportunities for advocacy are being continuously updated on this Google Doc for those interested in helping out! https://lnkd.in/ePwFpsVu

🍎📉 Urgent Call to Action: Support School Meal Programs! 🥪 A recent study by the Food Research & Action Center highlights a troubling trend: a nationwide decline in school meal participation. 🇺🇸 With the expiration of pandemic-era waivers, many students are missing out on crucial free or reduced breakfasts and lunches. Particularly in Ohio, the drop has been significant. This decrease raises concerns about accessibility and the stigma surrounding income-based meals. It's time for policymakers and communities to step up and ensure all students have access to nutritious meals at school. 🚸🍽️ Let’s advocate for change and support our future generations! #foodandnutrition

Over the past 20 years, Senior Whole Health has remained committed to addressing food insecurity amongst elderly Bay Staters. Project Bread has been a trusted partner in helping us equip seniors with the resources they need to access nutritious foods. Together, we have offered SNAP 101 training at affordable housing sites where there is a high demand for food and nutrition services. Too often, confusion on eligibility and how to access resources such as SNAP benefits presents a barrier to long-term food security. In fact, in Massachusetts only 67% of seniors eligible for SNAP benefits are participating in the program. By working together to bring resources right to seniors, we can break down barriers for Bay Staters facing food insecurity and ensure seniors have the tools to thrive. Learn more about our transformational partnership with Project Bread: https://bit.ly/3ZbYpfB #SWH20for20

Last week marked #WorldFoodDay, reminding us that we must make school meals accessible. Because hungry children learn poorly. 🍲 Healthy school meals are key to universal #EducationForAll, yet school feeding tends to be most limited where it is needed the most. We need to do more to ensure no child is left behind! Discover why school feeding is crucial for education 👉 Learn more in the #2023GEMReport: https://bit.ly/45ziIDw #ZeroHunger #GEMReport

It's about time......Our children spend more time/ hours at school than at home. What they are fed inside and outside the school premises is of utmost importance. In terms of Oral Health.....the school tuckshops need to be regulated as well....not just the school vendors. Our children are sold foods and drinks of very high sugar content. That is another form of food poisoning as well. This becomes detrimental to their oral health in the long run. Well done to Dept of Education for taking such an important step in dealing with this matter. However instead of increasing unemployment......run workshops that educate these vendors on healthier food options that they could sell to the children. Fresh fruits and peanuts, frozen yogurts etc were not a bad option for the kids. Increase healthy food literacy in the school environment.........to enable our children to make healthier food choices. School feeding program is the best platform you have to take such initiatives. Concerned parent and oral healthcare provider 🙏

Corewell Health has partnered with Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) to host Taste Buddies, a cooking course designed to teach families about healthy eating habits and holiday cooking tips. Originally launched on Zoom during the pandemic, Taste Buddies has now expanded to in-person classes. Bettina Jones, a Dietitian with Corewell Health, emphasizes that the program helps kids incorporate social emotional learning into their cooking and encourages families to make sustainable changes to their eating habits. Jennifer Williams, GRPS Director of Family and Community Engagement, highlights the program's goal of enriching family discussions and providing a space for everyone to connect and decompress. https://ow.ly/rfR730sIApX

Parents are important school food stakeholders! Have you talked to your child about school meals? And not just what is offered but lunch time - the space, the people who nourish our children at schools (cafeteria workers, teachers, their peers). Meal time is such an important social and educational time during their school day! The school foodscape and commensality, eating with others, are opportunities to nourish community and the democratic potential of education. https://lnkd.in/ene9sPcg