Improving Nutrition & Food Access

Boost Well-Being with Healthy Foods

Schools play a vital role in shaping lifelong healthy habits. When students have access to nutritious meals and nutrition education, they're more engaged, better prepared to learn, and set up for lasting success.

Josephine Thomason, MS, RDN, LDN
Whole Child Health National Advisor, Nutrition & Food Access

Our evidence-based approach helps schools:

Support healthy eating behaviors

Teach students how to make healthy food choices with hands-on activities.

Boost school meal participation

Engage students with taste tests and creative, appealing meal options.

Improve food access

Partner with families and communities to ensure reliable access to nutritious meals.

Promote local and culturally relevant foods

Include local produce and diverse menu options to reflect community values.

Build supportive nutrition environments

Help youth create a positive relationship with healthy foods in the classroom, cafeteria, and beyond.

Get Recognized for Nutrition & Food Access

Meet these criteria to qualify as one of America’s Healthiest Schools.

1

Our school implements at least three of the following strategies:

To be eligible for an award, you'll need to be doing at least three of these things.
Find resources to help >

2

At our school:

To be eligible for an award, you'll need to be doing this.
Find resources to help >

3

Our school’s process for collaborating with community organizations includes:

To be eligible for an award, you'll need to be doing each one of these things.
Find resources to help >

Let’s make your vision a reality!
My team is here to help you become one of America’s Healthiest Schools.

—Naomi, Member Engagement & Support Team

Call 888-543-4584, book a chat, or send an email

Resources to Build Nutrition & Food Access

Strategies to Increase Attendance: School Meals and Food Security

In this panel discussion, we will learn how supporting students and families experiencing food insecurity can impact chronic absenteeism. Participants will explore how schools and districts can support nutrition security through school-based programs and additional food supports.