Children and Youth Need Good Nutrition

Guest Blog post by our Program Director, Dorigen Keeney (RD)

This post is part of our month-long blog series in celebration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' "National Nutrition Month." This year's theme is, "Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day," so each of us here at Hunger Free Vermont will take a turn to share a personal goal, story or fact regarding nutrition through daily blog posts throughout the month.

Children and youth have high nutrient needs because they are growing and developing rapidly. They need the nutrients found in meats, legumes, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.  They also need those nutrients without excess calories.

School meals can provide children/youth with these important nutrients. Hunger Free Vermont is advocating so that all low income students will have access to free school meals. We also provide schools and communities with information and resources to enroll all eligible students.

Hunger Free Vermont is also working to make sure this important source of nutrition is available to all students – regardless of household income - and at the same time improve the quality and food culture within schools. Our vision is that school meals should be free, an integral part of the curriculum, and of such high quality that everyone will want to eat.

Finland made school meals free resulting in improved academic performance and reduced obesity. We can do it.