In comparison with the outdated Food Guide Pyramid which supported “5-A-Day” of fruits and vegetables, the new MyPyramid recommends at least 6-11 servings of fruits and vegetables daily for good health. Schools can play a key role in children’s health because the vast majority of US children and families are interconnected with their neighborhood schools. The USDA School Lunch Program influences children’s eating behaviors through exposure, modeling, and repetition, resulting in healthy lifelong consumption patterns. Easy and efficient access to local produce vendors benefits the agriculture economy, small businesses, school food services, families and their children.

Schools are a societal cornerstone for reasons beyond our commitment to a well-educated populous. Almost all children attend either public or private schools, yielding access to a large population. Most children eat at least one meal per day at school, and many consume two, equating to 2/3 total daily food consumption. School food services and classroom teachers can be major contributors to nutrient-dense meals and influence children’s eating behaviors for their lifetimes.