In 2025, all Ukrainian schoolchildren will receive free meals daily, expanding upon the current program providing free meals to grades 1-4. This initiative, directed by President Zelenskyy, aims to ensure nutritional support for all students. The expansion follows the successful implementation of free meals for younger students, funded by a 2 billion hryvnia government allocation. Concurrently, a new education support program for children of veterans will launch in 2025.
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The USDA has finally updated rules for school meals, limiting added sugars for the first time. As a cook at a non-profit preschool, I can attest to the excessive sugar content in so-called “approved” kids’ food. It’s shocking to see the amount of added sugars in seemingly healthy options like whole grain muffins, waffles, and french toast. The labor-intensive process of incorporating fresh produce and dairy into meals is often overlooked due to the convenience and cost-efficiency of processed foods.
Improving school meals is crucial, considering the poor nutrition and low wages of cafeteria staff in many institutions. It’s disheartening to see school lunches consisting of minimal portions of subpar nutrition, such as corn dogs and chips.… Continue reading
Over 7,000 students in Georgia have been granted a sigh of relief as Arby’s Foundation stepped in to wipe out their lunch debts with a generous $1 million donation. While it’s heartwarming to see this situation resolved, it is deeply distressing that such a problem exists in the first place. As someone who has worked in education for years, I strongly believe that “lunch debt” should never be a thing.
The concept of children being penalized for their parents’ inability to pay for their lunches is nothing short of insane. These kids are at school because they have to be, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they are properly fed so they can learn and thrive.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker