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Small Steps Matter
Fruits, vegetables, and less processed foods to the rescue!
A steady flow of headlines trumpet the latest health crises and expert solutions. It's no secret that Americans have a weight problem. Nor is it a mystery about how to solve it. Many experts have argued that we should be eating more plant foods, less processed foods, and less food in general. So how does this translate in the school cafeteria?
The answer can sometimes feel overwhelming, but small steps really do make a big impact. Some ideas to help you promote more plant foods and less processed foods in your cafeteria are:
- Offer a wide variety of colorful fresh or frozen fruits and veggies in the serving line.
- Identify quick recipes from scratch that take advantage of whole food commodities.
- Search for alternatives – like yogurt and applesauce – to foods that are high in artificial colors or flavors.
- As students fill their trays, encourage them to take more fruits, veggies, or whole grain sides.
- Look for opportunities to include vegetables and fruits in toppings and sauces for extra flavor and color.
Another small, but important step is to promote these changes to your students via the menu, school newsletters, and at parent-teacher meetings. Parents will be thrilled to learn about your positive steps to encourage healthy eating and may be eager to follow your lead at home.
Finally, identify areas on your serving line or in the cafeteria that could serve as a teachable moment. Teaching tools like posters, static clings, and other products are highly effective in helping to promote a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables.
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