Nutrition Environment and Services

A supportive school nutrition environment helps students develop healthy eating habits by offering nutritious food and beverage choices on campus. It includes reinforcing these behaviors through comprehensive nutrition education and consistent food messaging. Schools have a powerful opportunity to promote lifelong wellness by serving wholesome meals and extending nutritious options to other settings such as vending machines, concession stands, classroom celebrations, fundraisers and school stores. Additionally, schools can enhance student engagement by encouraging participation in meal programs, implementing Farm to School initiatives, and investing in ongoing professional development for food service staff and health education teachers.

Resources

• Indiana Department of Education School and Community Nutrition: Main webpage that provides information and resources for USDA Child Nutrition Programs including school nutrition programs, summer food service program, child and adult care food program, and the food distribution program.
• Indiana Grown for Schools Toolkits: Farm to School resources for schools to engage in the pillars of Farm to School
• Indiana School Nutrition Association: State affiliate organization to the National School Nutrition Association (SNA). The mission of the Indiana School Nutrition Association is to provide education, programs, and services for members which promote quality child nutrition. ISNA works to develop quality professional development and networking opportunities for school nutrition professionals throughout the state to advance school meals for students.
• American Dairy Association Indiana – School Nutrition Program Resources: American Dairy Association Indiana supports the nearly 700 dairy farm families in the state. ADAI and dairy farmers are passionate about school meal programs. We work to create resources and provided grants to school nutrition program operators to assist in making meals more accessible while also increasing dairy servings for students.
• Institute of Child Nutrition: Training, tools, and resources for school food service personnel
• JumpIN for Healthy Kids’ School Wellness Guide: Guide to helping students achieve a healthy lifestyle

Contacts

• Sophie Lindley, Farm to School Coordinator, Indiana Department of Health
  • slindley@doe.in.gov
• Sheri Shipp, American Dairy Association Indiana
  • shipp@winnersdrinkmilk.com
• Brandon Monk, Indiana School Nutrition Association
  • admin@indianasna.org