March 19, 2024
In the journey to address poor eating habits, nutrition inequity, and food insecurity, school meals emerge as a powerful catalyst for positive change. By implementing relatively simple adjustments, we can enhance the impact of school meals not only for children in need but for every student.
Despite progress in raising awareness about healthy eating over the past two decades, challenges persist, particularly in youth nutrition. One in five U.S. children faces food insecurity, diet-related chronic diseases are pervasive, and the majority are falling short of nutritional recommendations for whole grains, dairy, fruits, and vegetables leading to calcium, Vitamin D, fiber, potassium, and iron being consumed dangerously below recommended levels.
Former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, MD, PhDAs we reflect this month on the fourth anniversary of COVID-19 being
declared a pandemic, the repercussions since that time have included
exponentially high food insecurity rates among our nation’s youth,
underscoring the urgent need for nutrition equity. Now is the time to
examine the landscape of youth nutrition comprehensively, emphasizing the
critical importance of addressing gaps and fostering a holistic approach to
nutrition education.
The benefits of instilling healthy eating habits in youth are well-documented, influencing overall health, reducing chronic ailment risks, and positively impacting academic success. However, despite these advantages, GENYOUth's newest Youth Insights Report reveals that almost half of youth admit they don't eat healthy all or most of the time.
Key findings from the report suggest potential strategies for addressing this challenge, including nutrition knowledge, regular breakfast consumption, family meals, family support, and being physically active. Alarmingly, students expressing concerns about food security are more prone to skipping meals, with over half of children from lower-income households reporting regular breakfast skipping.
GENYOUth CEO Ann Marie Krautheim, MA, RD, LDSchool breakfast emerges as a proven solution to nutrition equity and food
insecurity. However, barriers such as timing, accessibility, and stigma
limit participation, with only half of school lunch participants benefiting
from school breakfast. Notably, embracing the concept of
Healthy School Meals for All (HSMFA) offering school breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge to
families, significantly increases school breakfast participation. Pennsylvania saw a year-over-year increase in school
breakfast (29.9%) and school lunch (76.1%) participation across the state of
Pennsylvania from the 2020-2021 to 2021-2022 school years. This is a direct result of HSMFA and the waivers enabling schools to offer free meals to all students without determining eligibility based on the student’s household income. Congress ended HSMFA in June 2023. Pennsylvania provides universal free breakfast this school year and has an active campaign and a bill introduced to continue it. 
Alternative approaches to school meals, including breakfast in the classroom and Grab and Go, are proven to increase participation rates by double digits, yet only 28% of respondents in our survey indicate that their school provides this option. This underscores a significant gap in adopting convenient and effective solutions to foster nutrition security among students.
The health trajectory of our youth is intricately linked to their dietary choices and lifestyle habits. To empower the next generation, early intervention, educational support, and innovative strategies must take precedence. As stakeholders, it is our collective responsibility to champion the cause of nutrition equity, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Our collective pursuit involves connecting the nutritious foods produced by America’s farmers to foster nutrition security and end student hunger. School meals play an outsized role, and by working together, we can provide healthy meals for all youth, creating healthier school communities and empowering the next generation to make informed, healthy choices, shaping a vibrant and resilient future for us all.
David Satcher, MD, PhD is a former four-star admiral in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Assistant Secretary for Health, Surgeon General of the United States, and founder of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse University. He is board member emeritus of GENYOUth.
Ann Marie Krautheim, MA, RD, LD is Chief Executive Officer of GENYOUth, a national non-profit founded by America’s Dairy Farmers and the NFL, dedicated to helping schoolchildren thrive by living well-nourished and physically active lives.
