To celebrate USDA's 50 years of their School Breakfast Program they are offering a Team Nutrition grant worth $6.8 million for the healthy school meal program especially dedicated to school breakfasts.
The US is consistently ranked as one of the countries who provide the best and most nutritious school meals in the world. The USDA (US Department of Agriculture) sees to it that every student in the US receives the required daily dietary allowance through their Child Nutrion Programs including the following: National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and the Special Milk Program.
Last week, USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon announced that a a $6.8 million Team Nutrition grant will be awarded to affiliate schools and partners to further plant and implement healthier meals in schools. This program was made possible by the Hunger-free kids act of 2010.
Quoting Concannon "As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the School Breakfast Program, we reflect on the great strides the program has made in strengthening the health and nutrition of children in America. The School Breakfast Program allows millions of students to start their day with a well-balanced breakfast, which, in turn, is linked to better performance in the classroom, better attendance, and better health,".
Experts and nutritionists agree that having healthy meals and breakfast heavily affects a child's cognitive development thus influencing their ability to learn. According to Timi Gustafson R.D.," To do its work, the brain needs a sufficient supply of healthy fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water." The lack of the essential nutrients will eventually lead to poor learning abilities.
The grant will aid in advancement of the organizations carious nutrional programs. According to USDA, "Team Nutrition initiative provides technical assistance, training, and nutrition education resources for schools and child care providers participating in USDA's child nutrition programs".
With the consistent monitoing and advancement of USDA programs, the child nutrition in the US will most likely to improve further in the coming years.
