Top Benefits of Providing School Healthy Food in Washington

In a fast-paced world, it is more important than ever to ensure children are eating balanced, nutritious meals the school day. Washington is seeing a strong movement toward providing healthy food in schools and individuals and organizations (educators, parents, and policymakers) are realizing the value of providing healthy meals for growing students. This work has been made easier though partnerships with organizations such as Wholesome Food Services, who has been a valuable ally in getting delicious, nutritious meals into schools.

So what are the benefits of providing school healthy food in Washington? Let’s look closely at how this commitment benefits students, schools, families, and communities.

 

1. Improves Academic Achievement

Nutrition impacts a child's ability to focus, learn, and achieve academically. Research shows that students who eat healthy meals will be able to focus better, have better recall, and better engage their problem-solving abilities.

Wholesome Food Services supports Washington schools by providing thoughtfully created meals to fuel young brains. These meals focus on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables that are all supportive of good brain function and sustained energy throughout the school day.

2. Promotes Better Physical Health

Obesity and obesity-related diseases like diabetes and heart diseases are major concerns to school-aged children today. Supplying nutritious meals is a form of prevention. Healthy school food cuts down on calorie-laden processed food that is high in sugar, sodium, and fat and replaces it with balanced meals that promote long-term health.

In Washington, school districts that partner with Wholesome Food Services will have access to a menu that follows USDA nutrition recommendations which help youth develop healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.

3. Promotes Emotional and Behavioral Health

Its never only related to physical health- Nutrition is related to emotional regulation and behavior. A student who eats a variety of healthy foods in a day and consume well-balanced meals consistently is less likely to have mood swings, irritability, or hyper activity. This increases the positive nature of classroom atmosphere and allows children to focus on learning and decreases the effort of coping with the ups and downs of emotions.

Wholesome Food Services provides meals with ingredients to Washington schools that helped to generate stability in energy and emotions (e.g. high sugar snacks can cause sugar highs and crashes).

4. Creates Healthy Habits for Life

Children are visual and experiential learners. When children eat healthy food every day, they are introduced to the idea, the food, and the concept of nutrition by example in school settings. The opportunities usually carry over to food selections made at home and through adulthood.

By exposing Washington students to wholesome and fresh foods, Wholesome Food Services helps students develop preferences and establish lifelong well-being habits. 

5. Reduces Food Insecurity

For many families school meals are crucial: nutritious school meals provide children with their daily nutrition and support child growth and development regardless of family backgrounds or income. School meal programs are a vital source of food nutrition in Washington for a surplus of households categorized as food insecure.

Wholesome Food Services partners with school districts to develop accessible meal choices that are both nutritious, and affordable, and include menu options that are welcoming. This makes a difference to families in need and provides opportunity and equity for student body active participation.  

6. Increases School Attendance and Student Engagement

Hunger is still a leading cause of student absenteeism and disengagement. Students who report they are hungry may have difficulties getting out of bed in the morning, and may find it difficult to participate in learning activities. Hunger can be combated with healthy meals which assure students have the authentic shame to ensure students attended to class learning.

Schools across Washington that provide school meal programs affiliated with the Wholesome Food Services have reported better school attendance and generally an increase in student participation in learning activities. 

7. Provides a Commitment to Equity

Access to healthy food should not come with a privilege assigned to it and should be a right. Providing healthy food to students in schools in Washington shows the commitment towards equity and the betterment of students. Every student should have the opportunity to realize their potential, and this starts with a full stomach and body that is nourished.

Wholesome Food Services proudly supports this commitment with many different communities in Washington State to make sure that all children in each community have equal access to healthy school meals.

8. Improved School Culture

A healthy meal program contributes to a more supportive and connected school community and culture. When students and staff come together to eat meals together, it is important for building relationships, respect and a sense of belonging in the school. Healthy meals also supports school messaging around a commitment to health and wellness and reinforces messaging around physical education and mental health; something that can be important values enhancing the holistic development of students.

With customized food programming that allows schools to create meal experiences that go beyond just food on a plate, Wholesome Food Services supports Washington schools to develop a sense of community through food experiences, creating shared values about health and nutrition.

 9. Supports Local and Sustainable Food Systems

Washington state districts are starting to adopt the practice of sourcing local, sustainable ingredients - the goal is two-fold. First, to provide fresh, nutritious meals. Second, to help support the local economy and to reduce the impact of food transport to the environment.

Wholesome Food Services supports this vision by sourcing local ingredients when possible and maintaining partnerships with Washington farms and food producers. Their environmentally friendly practices resonate with school districts hoping to deliver sustainably and responsibly.

10. Gives Parents Peace of Mind

Lastly, providing healthy food at school allows parents, one less thing to worry about. They can rest assured, their children are receiving meals with quality ingredients that will support their growth, development, and learning.

For Washington parents, selecting Wholesome Food Services will connect them to an organization that prides itself on trustworthy performance, transparency, nutritional food quality, and food excellence. The menus are communicated on point, they encourage parents to encourage their kids to test out allergy options, and everything is curated with kids in mind.

Final thoughts

Providing healthy food to students in Washington has so many advantages. First, better student outcomes - academic, health, environmental, and community. Second, Washington state is putting families and students first - parents are looking out for their children and Wholesome Food Services is a credible partner.