By SARAH BENTLEY-GARFINKEL,
School Program Director for Health Initiative in Potsdam

This fall, students will find more vegetables, fruits and whole grains on their cafeteria trays. Meals will offer "right-sized" portions, with stricter limits on calories, saturated fat and sodium ­ changes stemming from new federal nutrition standards for school meals.

These standards, part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, are meant to help children and youth establish healthy habits that last a lifetime. In addition, research shows that healthier students are more successful overall, performing better academically and demonstrating improved concentration and classroom behavior.

Schools can have a big impact on child nutrition and overall health. In St. Lawrence, Lewis and Jefferson counties alone, almost 40,000 children eat lunch in the school setting. By making healthy options easier and more accessible, schools help instill healthy habits and create a culture of wellness.

Everyone in the school community can play a role in making healthier school meals successful. Some schools have supported healthy choices by offering nutrition education in lessons and programs, and ensuring healthy foods are offered as classroom snacks. School garden and Farm to School projects highlight healthy, local foods in schools throughout the region. Other schools choose to limit the number of less-healthy options available through fundraisers, classroom celebrations and rewards, opting for healthier choices such as dance-a-thons or other physical activity focused fun. Parents are important partners in the success of healthy changes to school meals. Asking about and encouraging children to try new, healthy foods in the cafeteria allow parents to get involved and learn more. Inviting children to help make a grocery list, shop at a store or farmers¹ market, prepare a snack, or share a meal together have been shown to increase the likelihood that children will try and enjoy healthy foods.

Talking about where food comes from, or growing food at home, may pique children¹s natural curiosity. It can also be helpful to remember that children may need to try a new food many times before accepting it.

Joining the school district wellness committee or simply acting as healthy role models are opportunities for everyone, including parents, teachers, food service staff and community members, to support healthy choices.

When adults enjoy fruits, vegetables, and whole grains at meals and snacks, children are sure to notice! To learn more about the new school meal standards and school wellness resources, call your local school or visit

www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday, the Health Initiative's Healthy Schools NY program at www.gethealthyslc.org, or the Cornell Cooperative Extension's Adopting Healthy Habits facebook page at www.facebook.com/adoptinghealthyhabits.