The Local Beef in Local Schools initiative brings rancher-donated beef directly to school cafeterias on Colorado's Eastern Plains. So far, the program has provided 3,000 pounds of beef to five schools, including the Genoa-Hugo School District, allowing students to enjoy high-quality meals while helping schools stretch their food budgets.

Now reformulated to meet USDA milk substitution guidelines, Pearl^® Organic Smart Soymilk offers 8g protein, ≤10g added sugar, and gluten-free, kid-approved flavors. Visit SNIC Table 22 or request your free sample at KikkomanUSA.com.

Wisconsin schools are facing budget challenges and reduced access to local produce after the end of the Agriculture Department's Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. The program had provided nearly $500 million to schools nationwide to buy local fruits and vegetables, benefiting almost 300 farmers in Wisconsin.

A last-minute amendment to the continuing resolution adopted by Congress bans the use of federal funds to purchase seafood and poultry products from China for school lunch programs. This provision addresses ongoing concerns about the safety and sourcing of food served to US students and marks a significant policy shift in school nutrition procurement.

Soda consumption is driven by a combination of biological and psychological factors, experts say. The brain's reward system is affected by the sweetness and caffeine in soda, leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms, says Ashley Gearhardt, a psychology professor at the University of Michigan.

A study published in Nutrition and Metabolism found that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a higher risk of prediabetes and insulin resistance among people ages 17 to 22 who were overweight or obese. Researchers noted that each 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake was linked to a 64% higher risk of prediabetes and a 56% higher risk of blood sugar regulation problems.

If you want your team to understand your organization's purpose and how they fit into it, then use your daily actions -- on purpose -- to reinforce it in meetings, hiring practices and communication by highlighting how their jobs make an impact, writes university professor Benjamin Laker, who notes that consistency is key. "Employees notice what leaders celebrate and what they overlook. When they see alignment between words and behavior, they respond with commitment. When they see contradiction, they respond with cynicism," Laker writes.

In the newest season of SNA’s School Food for Thought podcast, we look at the truth behind school meals (we’re setting the record straight!) and also spotlight the Made With School Lunch (MWSL) campaign. Each episode tackles a common myth—sharing real stories, facts and voices from the community—to highlight the transformative power of school meals. Check out the new season.