Utah schools find creative ways to promote healthy lunch

Woodrow Wilson Elementary is one of many that Granite and other districts are implementing to make nutritious school lunches more appealing to students.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires schools nationwide to offer meals that meet specific nutritional guidelines. This includes offering one fruit or vegetable per meal, serving food with whole grains and protein, and meeting minimum and maximum calorie guidelines.

Participation in school lunches dropped statewide since the act went into effect in fall 2012, according to Kim Loveland, assistant director of school lunch at the Utah State Office of Education.

That caused state and district education officials concern. "It's not nutrition if the kids don't eat it," Loveland said.

Officials in Jordan School District ran a campaign during the 2012-13 school year to help educate students and parents of the components of a balanced meal.

Initial observations showed that students had a good idea of healthy components, but also had some progress to make.

Desert News 10/31. Read entire article at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865589598/Utah-schools-find-creative-ways-to-promote-healthy-lunch.html