Due to challenges with school scheduling, it’s not uncommon for students to eat an early or late school lunch. This can result in kids being hungry during or after the school day, and needing snacks to keep their busy bodies and minds going. In addition to nourishing bodies, snacks provide an opportunity to practice healthy eating habits.
Tips to Take Action:
- Create a classroom chart that tracks when students bring in fruit, vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy, or a whole grain for a snack. Set a classroom goal and infuse nutrition education into the conversation.
- Emphasize the importance of healthy snacks at school and home through events like parent-teacher conferences when you have a built-in audience.
- Host a P.A.C.K. Week at your school where students bring in a different colored fruit or vegetable as a snack each day.
- Use these healthy food art snack ideas as part of a classroom nutrition education lesson, birthday celebration or for a morning snack.
- Partner with parents to establish a monthly snack program where parents bring in a snack for everyone once per month.
- If your school qualifies, join the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program for free, regular snacks for students and staff.
- Host a healthy snack competition with students: Provide a list of common fruits, veggies, dairy, protein and grains and challenge students to build a healthy snack with three or more ingredients. Ask students to post their healthy snack on social media or bring it in to share. Let their peers vote on their favorite snack!