Power Panther in the School Cafeteria

Power Panther loves school meals!  Did you know that school meals:

• Help students EAT SMART and PLAY HARD.   

• Meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. 

• Comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

• Prepare students to learn and give them energy! 

• Meet calorie goals that are appropriate for each student's age/grade group. 

• Provide a balance between optimal nutrition and student acceptance. 

Every school day across America over 27 million children are served lunch in more than 96,000 schools.  In Kansas almost 300,000 students eat a school lunch and almost 70,000 eat breakfast at school.

Eat Your Colors Pilot Project Summary
During the school years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005, twenty-four Kansas schools participated in the Produce for Better Health Foundation's Eat Your Colors Pilot Project.

Food Service Models:
  v     Build Your Own Salad
  v     Improving Food Quality
  v     Increasing Variety of Fruits and Vegetables
  v     Pre-plated Main Dish Salads
  v     Pre-plated Side Salads and Fruit/Veggie Combos
  v     Salad Bar

 Promotion Models:
  v     Launch Event
  v     Student Taste Tests
  v     5 a Day the Color Way School Foodservice Promotion Book

Nutrition Education Models:
  v     Health Fair
        v     There's a Rainbow on My Plate

As you review the project summaries implemented in local schools by school food service personnel, think about ways you too could promote fruits and vegetables to students.  It's a great opportunity to be creative, have fun and promote healthy eating habits to kids!

Several participating districts found that student taste tests, whether conducted as a "stand-alone" activity or part of another event, were an effective way to involve students in the process of identifying what fruits and vegetables they like to be served at school. Student taste tests are easy and fun!  Try involving students in a positive way and enjoy the results---increased participation, less plate-waste and healthier students! 

For further information on the Eat Your Colors Team Nutrition project, contact Allison Gilmore, Team Nutrition Coordinator, agilmore@ksde.org or 785-296-2790. 

For a summary of the "best practices" from 2003-2004, click here.  For a summary of the 2004-2005 projects, click here.

KN-TRAIN
KN-TRAIN is the acronym for Kansas Nutrition - Training Resources And Information Network. KN-TRAIN provides Kansas educators and child nutrition professionals with quick, easy access to high-quality, current nutrition education and child nutrition program related training resources.  KN-TRAIN resources can be borrowed by anyone with a Kansas mailing address who is affiliated with a Kansas educational institution or a Kansas child nutrition program.  KN-TRAIN is operated by Child Nutrition & Wellness, Kansas State Department of Education. Click on the link in the left hand column to access a complete catalog of materials in the KN-TRAIN library.