Increasing School Meal Participation Through Student Menu Design

"If it's about me, don't create it without me!" - 10th grader

What if students designed the school meal program? Bringing students to the table to identify, create and lead innovative approaches to school meals increases participation, reduces stigma and creates youth champions--all of which are key to physical and fiscal success of the program. In this panel discussion, learn how students, nutrition staff, and private companies partnered to support and empower change by giving students a voice and a chance to lead in the realm of school nutrition.

CPE Level: Level 1 (basic knowledge/experience)
CPEU: 1

Performance Indicators

• 2.3.4 Identifies opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships with individuals or organizations with shared visions.
• 2.3.1 Identifies needs for and negotiates common ground with clients, inter- and intra-professional team members, and other stakeholders
• 12.1.3 Collaborates with community partners and stakeholders in promoting health and disease prevention.

Learning Objectives

• Communicate the barriers to school meal participation from the perspective of students
• Identify creative approaches to empowering youth in collaboration with school nutrition staff to help innovate school meal programs toward increased participation and access.
• Describe the benefits and impacts of engaging youth in public health initiatives

Moderator

• Karen Kafer, RDN

Speakers

• Ann Marie Krautheim, MA, RDN
• Teresa Brown, MS, RD, LDN, SNS
• Youth Council Student, H.S. Student