Debunking School Lunch Myths

Today we talk to school nutrition director, Jeanne Riley to debunk some of the myths around today's school lunch and how families can learn more about what's being served at their schools. Jeanne Reilly is an award-winning School Nutrition Director in Windham & Raymond, Maine. She is very involved in mentoring school nutrition directors as well as advocating for and promoting delicious and healthy School Nutrition Programs within her state and across the country. Jeanne is a co-administrator for 2 busy Facebook Groups: Tips for School Meals That Rock, and Tips to Succeed, School Meals in Small Rural District, and she is on the Advisory Board for the Chef Ann Foundation and for Healthy School Recipes. Jeanne is a mom, grandmother, and caregiver for her 100-year-old mother. She is a wealth of knowledge and deeply passionate about creating a healthier generation. Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:18 All about Jeanne 6:08 How to make school nutrition about more than just feeding children 9:23 The importance of introducing new foods in a cafeteria setting 11:54 Common myths about school lunches today 14:53 Vegetables that encourage students to try something new 17:39 Importance of culturally inclusive food 20:03 How to get involved in your child's school nutrition program 21:15 Guidelines school lunch programs have to follow and impact 23:41 Surprising difference with school foods many parents don't know about 24:50 Unique places you could source support for your school lunch program 28:04 Why it's easier to try new things with friends/peers 29:50 How the mission of great school lunches influences the greater community 32:18 One of the biggest goals with school nutrition and why it's so important 33:54 How the experience of having a treat has changed over time Healthy Recipes & Tips in Your Inbox Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive healthy recipe inspiration, our latest blog posts and more directly to your inbox each week. Healthy Family Project Facebook Group Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in! Follow Jeanne's district and what they are doing on Instagram! Follow Jeanne's district on Facebook! Follow Healthy Family Project on Instagram!