--- title: Tips to Help School Nutrition Programs Thrive | Federal Industries description: Food insecurity is a big issue in this country. Schools are stepping up to help students eat nutritious meals all year long. image: https://solutions.federalind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/federal-school-nutrition-program-hero-v2.png --- [![Federal Industries](https://solutions.federalind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/FederalInd_September2023/images/federal-logo.png?width=125&height=220&name=federal-logo.png "Federal Industries")](https://federalind.com/) Menu - [Display Cases](https://federalind.com/display-cases) - [Brand Overview](https://federalind.com/display-cases/brand-overview) - [Vision Series](https://federalind.com/display-cases/vision-series) - [Bakery & Deli](https://federalind.com/display-cases/bakery-deli) - [Series 90](https://federalind.com/display-cases/bakery-deli/series-90) - [Curved Glass](https://federalind.com/display-cases/bakery-deli/curved-glass) - [High Volume](https://federalind.com/display-cases/bakery-deli/high-volume) - [Italian Glass](https://federalind.com/display-cases/bakery-deli/italian-glass) - [Specialty Display](https://federalind.com/display-cases/specialty-display) - [Counter Top](https://federalind.com/display-cases/counter-top) - [Elements](https://federalind.com/display-cases/elements) - [Market Segments](https://federalind.com/market-segments) - [Schools & Institutions](https://federalind.com/market-segments/schools-institutions) - [Conveniences Stores](https://federalind.com/market-segments/conveniences-stores) - [Chains](https://federalind.com/market-segments/chains) - [Retail Markets](https://federalind.com/market-segments/retail-markets) - [Portfolio](https://federalind.com/portfolio) - [Bakery](https://federalind.com/portfolio/bakery) - [Deli](https://federalind.com/portfolio/deli) - [Self-Serve](https://federalind.com/portfolio/self-service) - [Combination](https://federalind.com/portfolio/combination) - [Counter Top](https://federalind.com/portfolio/counter-top) - [Schools/Institutions](https://federalind.com/portfolio/schools-institutions) - [Convenience-Store](https://federalind.com/portfolio/convenience-stores) - [Chain Markets](https://federalind.com/portfolio/chains) - [Retail-Markets](https://federalind.com/portfolio/other-markets) - [Resources](https://federalind.com/resources) - [Spec Sheets & Brochures](https://federalind.com/resources/sales-literature) - [Product Selector](https://federalind.com/resources/product-selector) - [Find a Sales Representative](https://federalind.com/resources/sales-rep-locator) - [Customizable Options](https://federalind.com/resources/customizable-options) - [Laminates](https://federalind.com/resources/laminates) - [Warranty Information](https://federalind.com/resources/warranty-information) - [Request Literature](https://federalind.com/resources/request-information) - [Sales Contact Form](https://federalind.com/resources/customer-service) - [Freight Quote Request](https://federalind.com/resources/freight-quote-request) - [Trade Show / Convention Requests](https://federalind.com/resources/trade-show-convention-requests) - [Blog](https://federalind.com/blogs) - [Federal Industries Blog](https://federalind.com/blogs/federal-industries-blog) - [About Federal](https://federalind.com/about-federal) - [The Federal Advantage](https://federalind.com/about-federal/the-federal-advantage) - [Careers](https://federalind.com/about-federal/careers) - [Login/Logout](https://federalind.com/about-federal/login) - [Support & Service](https://federalind.com/support-service) ![Tips to Help School Nutrition Programs Thrive](https://solutions.federalind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/federal-school-nutrition-program-hero-v2.png) # Tips to Help School Nutrition Programs Thrive - Home - [Federal Industries Blog](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog) - Tips to Help School Nutrition Programs Thrive [Federal Industries](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/author/federal-industries) 10/14/2024 [Schools](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/tag/schools) [0 Comments](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/school-nutrition-program-tips#postComment) 2 Minutes ![African American girl with curly shoulder length hair and red glasses in school cafeteria looks directly at camera. Other students on either side of her with lunch food in front.](https://solutions.federalind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Tips%20to%20Help%20School%20Nutrition%20Programs%20Thrive%20part%201.png?width=900&height=400&name=Tips%20to%20Help%20School%20Nutrition%20Programs%20Thrive%20part%201.png) Food insecurity remains a significant issue in the United States. School nutrition programs play a critical role in providing children with healthy meals, which, for some, is the only food they'll consume that day.  Feeding America said more than [14 million children faced food insecurity in 2023](https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/child-hunger-facts), and reliable school lunch programs are crucial in addressing this issue. These programs offer consistent access to nutritious meals and contribute to improved learning environments and better overall health. Here are some tips on how schools can ensure their nutrition programs thrive and K-12 students get fed quickly.  ![14 million food insecurity](https://solutions.federalind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/14%20million%20food%20insecurity.png?width=1348&height=1014&name=14%20million%20food%20insecurity.png) ## Bridge the Two-Day Gap Children whose parents qualify for regular school weeks can consume a discounted or [free breakfast and lunch](https://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/factsheet). In fiscal year 2023, government programs provided [2.4 billion free breakfasts](https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/child-nutrition-programs/school-breakfast-program/) and [4.6 billion free lunches](https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/child-nutrition-programs/national-school-lunch-program/) to needy students.  When the waiver that allowed schools to provide meals to all students, no matter their parents' income, expired, a USDA report discovered that it was difficult to pay for lunch for a third of school-age children who no longer qualified for free or reduced meals. But what happens during weekends, teacher planning days, holiday breaks, and summer vacation? Two methods to help bridge those gaps are for school cafeterias to provide afternoon snacks and have grab-n-go meal options for students to take home. A survey taken by No Kid Hungry says that 1 in 12 students who eat school lunches also get an afternoon snack. And only [1 in 7 children in the United States receive summer meals](https://www.nokidhungry.org/blog/meet-heroes-fueling-next-generation-365-days-year-no-kid-hungrys-out-school-time-meals). Bridging that gap, even when school isn't in session, sets children up to succeed and perform well when classes begin again.  ## Create Nutritional Food Appeal School foodservice displays are great for providing visual showcases of healthy meal options. Visual design goes a long way in the advertising and marketing worlds. Studies show that if people see [visually appealing food](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0950329322001471), they'll want to consume it. So schools need to set up displays for children that will make them want to eat.  Many schools have made remarkable strides toward improving school nutrition programs, including implementing community gardens on campus and starting incentive programs that reward students for making good food selections. Creating better learning environments and keeping students healthier is a move toward the future. Another good move? Using [Vision Series merchandisers](https://federalind.com/display-cases/vision-series) to help display food in the K-12 school cafeteria. With a large, inviting opening that lets kids see their options, it's also an excellent way to hold grab-n-go items used to feed them outside of school hours. Utilizing some of these ideas can be a fantastic way to take more steps toward creating better programs. [![School Foodservice](https://solutions.federalind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/school-foodservice-2.png "School Foodservice")](https://federalind-6426112.hs-sites.com/schools-1) --- #### Tag: [Schools](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/tag/schools) #### Share: - [Follow us on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/school-nutrition-program-tips) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/school-nutrition-program-tips&text=Tips%20to%20Help%20School%20Nutrition%20Programs%20Thrive) - [Follow us on Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/school-nutrition-program-tips) - [Follow us on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/school-nutrition-program-tips&text=Tips%20to%20Help%20School%20Nutrition%20Programs%20Thrivedescription=Food%20insecurity%20remains%20a%20significant%20issue%20in%20the%20United%20States.%20School%20nutrition%20programs%20play%20a%20critical%20role%20in%20providing%20children%20with%20healthy%20meals,[...]&media=https://6426112.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6426112/Imported_Blog_Media/federal-school-nutrition-program-hero-v2.png) --- #### [Making a Case for Grab-n-Go Breakfast Options Previous Post](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/grab-n-go-breakfast-option-merchandising-cases) #### [Foodservice Trends to Know for the New Year Next Post](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/foodservice-trends-for-new-year) ### Category - [C-stores (17)](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/tag/c-stores) - [Vision Series (14)](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/tag/vision-series) - [Schools (13)](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/tag/schools) - [Grocery & Retail (10)](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/tag/grocery-retail) - [Blog (6)](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/tag/blog) ### Popular Posts [Federal Industries](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/author/federal-industries) 05/26/2023 [5 Profitable Hot Food Deli Items to Boost Your Sales](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/5-profitable-hot-food-deli-items-to-boost-your-sales) [Federal Industries](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/author/federal-industries) 10/07/2020 [A Brief History of the Local Delicatessen](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/a-brief-history-of-the-local-delicatessen) [Federal Industries](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/author/federal-industries) 07/30/2023 [Unlocking the Secrets to Profitable Airport Grab-and-Go Food](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/unlocking-the-secrets-to-profitable-airport-grab-and-go-food) [Federal Industries](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/author/federal-industries) 03/07/2023 [Schools](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/tag/schools) [How Colleges Are Shaping the Grab-And-Go Food Trends](https://solutions.federalind.com/blog/how-colleges-are-shaping-the-grab-and-go-food-trends) --- ## Related Posts It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. 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