Schools
■ Enhance participation in school food programs,
particularly in the under-utilized school breakfast and
summer food programs.xxix Pilot strategies, such as
improving food quality and creating a pleasant cafeteria
environment, have worked to eliminate the stigma
associated with participation in subsidized food
programs.xxx
■ Increase availability of fast, low-cost, and appealing
healthy food options in school lunches, fundraising
activities, rewards, snacks served and/or sold at afterschool
activities and other public spaces, such as movie
theaters.
■ Create a farm-to-school and school garden programs to
bring farm-fresh produce into school meals.xxxi
■ Assess the prevalence of eating disorders and create
school-based programs that address eating disorders
and different types of diets common among
adolescents.
■ Work with schools to offer cooking classes as an elective
and educate families on how to incorporate more whole
foods into their meals. Ensure that the curriculum
contains information on the nutrition of and cooking with
a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.