When the school year ends, many students lose access to consistent, nutritious meals—often a lifeline for food-insecure families. Schools, however, can play a powerful role in bridging this gap, extending…

Sustainable packaging has emerged as a practical and impactful way to reduce waste in school meal programs. With millions of meals served each day in K-12 school, the shift toward…

Grab-and-go meals serve students convenience, speed, and flexibility without compromising on food quality. As these programs grow in popularity, packaging is stepping into the spotlight. The right packaging doesn’t just…

Finding ways to stretch every dollar without compromising the quality of meals is a growing challenge for most of us. For school meal programs it’s even more challenging because of…

No child should feel embarrassed or excluded because of the food they eat at school. Yet for many students who rely on free or reduced-price meals, cafeteria lines can become…

Food waste is a growing concern in schools—not only because of its environmental impact but also due to its effect on budgets and operations. According to the U.S. Department of…

There’s a new class of culinary critics redefining fine dining, cafeteria-style. Armed with unfiltered opinions, bold taste buds, and boundless imagination, a group of Mid-West elementary school students recently stepped…

Long lines in the school cafeteria don’t just delay lunch—they can impact nutrition, learning, and student satisfaction. When time is tight and hundreds of meals need to be served in…

This article is by guest contributor Nick Lowe, President of The Platinum Packaging Group. Contact Nick at nlowe@platinumpkggroup.com and visit www.platinumpkggroup.com Nutritious meals are essential to students’ overall well-being and…

Schools in the United States waste an estimated 530,000 tons of food annually. This waste occurs for several reasons, including overproduction, poor menu planning, and students discarding uneaten food. The average…

A Sustainable Shift Towards Eco-Friendly Practices In recent years, sustainability has become a focus for schools across the U.S., with many adopting eco-friendly initiatives to create healthier, more sustainable environments…

Implementing the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) in Schools One of the most significant changes on the horizon with the federal nutrition standards is the implementation of the 2020-2025…

Predicting food trends in school nutrition programs involves looking at broader societal, health, and culinary shifts that could impact school meals in the U.S. by 2025. These trends are likely…

School lunch debt is a persistent issue across the United States, affecting thousands of students and schools each year. As families face financial hardship, unpaid meal charges can quickly add…

In recent years, school meal programs have had to adapt to a variety of evolving challenges, from logistical hurdles to changing student preferences. However, innovative strategies in meal delivery, menu…

School-Prepared vs. Central Kitchen-Prepared Lunches The choice between central kitchens and in-school kitchens plays a significant role in providing nutritious and appealing meals to students. Central kitchens can efficiently serve…

While the classic PB&J or pizza slice may be a staple in the US, others serve up entirely different, and often more surprising, fare. Grab your tray and your passport…