<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1G2oJ1_0wEkMpZM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1G2oJ1_0wEkMpZM00" width="650" height="390" ><figcaption>Courtesy: GENYOUth</figcaption></figure><p><b><i>(Family Features)</i></b></p><p>In today’s America, 1 in 5 children faces hunger or food insecurity – a reality reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For Black, Indigenous and Hispanic youth, these numbers are even higher. The number of children in food-insecure households has risen by 45% due to increasing poverty and income inequality.</p><p>One powerful solution to youth food insecurity begins in the nation’s schools. Approximately 30 million students, over 60% of schoolchildren, depend on school meals for part of their daily nourishment, per USDA. For many, these meals are the only reliable source of nutrition they receive each day.</p><p>Discover how school meals and dedicated professionals support nutrition equity and food justice for all children.</p><h2>A. School meals are healthier than many realize.</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2J4oKN_0wEkMpZM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2J4oKN_0wEkMpZM00" width="600" height="399" ></figure><p>According to a survey by national nonprofit GENYOUth, nearly half of Americans are unaware children receive their healthiest meals at school. A study from Tufts University concluded “schools are now the single healthiest place Americans are eating,” by offering healthy nutrition including milk and dairy, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.</p><p>“As school meals lay a foundation for children to develop strong minds and bodies. we are committed to scaling proven solutions to ensure every child is well-nourished and ready to learn,” said GENYOUth CEO Ann Marie Krautheim, MA, RD, LD.</p><h2>B. School breakfast fuels academic success.</h2><p>Research shows that skipping breakfast is common among students, but those who eat breakfast are more successful academically. Eating a healthy breakfast boosts test scores, focus, memory, and attendance. Children who skip breakfast are missing out on important benefits and are less likely to eat healthily.</p><h2>C. Innovative school-meal equipment boosts breakfast participation.</h2><p>Innovative school meal equipment and strategies are increasing daily participation by up to 58%. Smoothie programs make school breakfast more appealing with delicious milk, yogurt, and fruit combinations for students.</p><p>Now in its second decade of service, GENYOUth has increased access to 11.8 billion nutritious school meals nationwide.</p><p>“No child living in one of the world’s most food secure nations should go hungry or without access to affordable, health-promoting foods,” said Barb O’Brien, chair of GENYOUth’s board of directors and president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. “Dairy farmers and the broader U.S. dairy community’s decades-long commitment to support child nutrition programs, including schools, helps to ensure equitable access to nutritious foods like dairy that help children thrive and that support a positive food future for all.”</p><p>To help make sure the only hunger a child feels is the hunger to learn, visit GENYOUthnow.org and discover how you can make a difference.</p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Fueling Futures: How schools are helping end student hunger

In today’s America, 1 in 5 children faces hunger or food insecurity – a reality reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For Black, Indigenous and Hispanic youth, these numbers are even higher. The number of children in food-insecure households has risen by 45% due to increasing poverty and income inequality.