Cafeteria Connections

School meals offer students a chance to select from all five food groups every day. Menus must meet strict standards for nutrient content and variety. Research shows that school lunches are typically healthier than lunches brought from home.

Kids who eat nutritious school meals will return to your classroom ready to learn and able to focus. To make the most of this resource, take action to promote school meals, and “nudge” students toward selecting the fruits and vegetables offered at mealtime.

Connect with students

Read and display the daily menu in your classroom; refer to the fruits and vegetables of the day as “today’s specials”.
Make sure the daily menu is read on the morning announcements.
Help organize cafeteria tastings of fruits and vegetables to promote their selection at lunch.

Connect with families

Engage parents as volunteers during cafeteria tastings.
Work with cafeteria staff to organize a bring your parent to lunch day to expose parents to school meals.
Remind parents to complete Free and Reduced Meal forms via social media or flyers.

Connect with your colleagues

Facilitate a discussion about positive communication with teachers or staff who monitor meals.
Use helpful language when discussing food choices with students.

Additional Resources

Signage for organizing share tables to reduce food waste
Cafeteria Connections food service staff training materials (for use by food service departments)
The Reimbursable Meal training video from the Maryland State Department of Education
Smart Snacks training video from the Maryland State Department of Education

Wellness Policy

School district wellness policies must include nutrition standards for meals served in the school district. All districts must comply with federal nutrition standards for school meals, but a district may choose to set stricter policies that exceed the federal guidelines.

The USDA recommends wellness policies include guidelines for promotion of healthy eating during school meals by making healthy foods convenient and attractive, and applying nutrition marketing strategies. Consult your school district’s wellness policy to find out whether your district has committed to specific strategies for directing students toward healthy choices in the cafeteria.