Three Cheers for National School Lunch Week!

October 18, 2013 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign

This week was National School Lunch week!

Here at HSC, we’re thinking about school lunch a lot. Next month, our Cooking up Change contest kicks off its national season of healthy cooking competitions when more than 100 of Chicago’s culinary students compete to reimagine this meal. But this week is also special for all of America’s lunch-lovers. Yes, drumroll — it's National School Lunch Week!

This year’s National School Lunch Week campaign is all about “School Lunch Across the USA,” which spotlights the nutritious regional recipes, ingredients and traditions that make each locale unique. As part of the celebration, schools have been involving both students and parents in learning about healthier food choices. Organizations are sharing their own resources to make the week special and delicious. MomsRising produced a storybook about healthy school food and has distributed it nationwide; the Alliance for a Healthier Generation gathered favorite kid-friendly recipes with regional flair, like Arroz con Pollo from Miami.

The National School Lunch Week campaign resonates with Healthy Schools Campaign — not just because of its emphasis on healthy and tasty food. We also appreciate that great meals  often draw inspiration from a variety of regions and cultures. Cooking up Change’s best meals  often feature healthier takes on classic dishes. Check out the winning meal of elotes, chicken rancheros and fruit salad from last year’s Cooking up Change.

What did you do for National School Lunch week?

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Learn more about Cooking up Change in Chicago, on November 7! On Twitter, follow #cookingupchange and @healthyschools for the latest.