Washington's state superintendent is reviewing a rule requiring a minimum of 20 seated minutes for school lunch in nearly 300 districts, addressing concerns about inadequate eating time. Public testimony on the proposal will be heard virtually today.

The Hawaii County Council is considering a resolution to urge the state Legislature to implement a universal free school meals program, citing high food insecurity rates, particularly on Hawaii Island. The program, estimated to cost $25 million, aims to support households that do not qualify for existing meal programs but still struggle financially.

Elementary students are facing significant challenges with emotional self-regulation, a skill crucial for managing behaviors and reactions. Schools are addressing this issue by implementing strategies such as using visual aids, modeling self-regulation techniques, and providing explicit social-emotional learning instruction.

New research published in the European Journal of Nutrition suggests that snacking can be beneficial to health if done correctly. The study analyzed data from the Zoe nutrition app and found that while low-quality snacks are linked to higher triglycerides and insulin resistance, high-quality snacks have the opposite effect. Registered dietitians Jessica Cording and Scott Keatley emphasize the importance of choosing snacks with fresh, minimally processed ingredients, including fruit, nuts, cottage cheese, and veggies and hummus, to positively influence health markers.

Mushrooms are celebrated for their culinary versatility, offering opportunities for retailers to market them as a meat replacement and a key ingredient in plant-based diets. Specialty varieties like lion's mane and shiitake are gaining traction due to their flavors and nutritional benefits, appealing to foodies and health-conscious consumers alike. Organic mushrooms now account for 22% of sales, significantly higher than the overall produce average.

A study by Matthew Kraft and Manuel Monti-Nussbaum highlights the effects of classroom interruptions on learning, finding that a typical classroom in Providence, R.I., experiences 15 interruptions daily, leading to a loss of 10 days of instructional time annually. The most common interruptions include tardy students, visiting staff and intercom announcements, with each disruption requiring additional time for students to refocus.

Are you ready to take your school breakfast program to the next level? Join us on Wednesday, February 5 at 3:00 p.m. ET for an exciting webinar, Making Breakfast Epic with Peanuts!, packed with strategies to boost student engagement, explore bold flavors and master marketing techniques to celebrate school breakfast everyday…with peanuts! Register today. Thanks to the National Peanut Board for supporting this webinar.