- Author: Shelby MacNab
- Author: Lynnette Brewer
UC CalFresh has been actively involved in the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement, and recently had an opportunity to showcase the efforts underway in Fresno County!
What is a Smarter Lunchroom?
Simply put: it's a lunchroom that is designed to support healthy meal time choices.
Why? According to the Cornell University Center for Behavioral Economics (BEN), it comes down to the way we make choices. BEN center research shows that our environment shapes the way we decide what we want to eat. Thus, the way healthy foods are presented to students impacts the choices they make during meal time. With just a few small changes, such as switching the bowls used to serve fruits and vegetables, districts around the country have seen a spike in consumption of healthy foods during meal times. Read more about the national Smarter Lunchrooms Movement here.
Many partners, one goal
Many organizations in California have partnered with Cornell University's Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs to advance the movement in the golden state. Partners include the California Department of Education, the California Dairy Council, Kaiser Permanente, the California Department of Public Health, the California Endowment, California Food Policy Advocates and the UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program.
Partners recently gathered for a Smarter Lunchrooms reception in Sacramento. During the reception, Tom Torlakson, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, reaffirmed his support for building healthier schools. Read more about the reception here.
Local Efforts
At the reception, Fresno County UC CalFresh also presented highlights of local Smarter Lunchrooms efforts. Our posters are shared below.
Special thanks to all of the Community Education Specialists, Fresno County administrators, teachers and food service staff invested in building healthier school environments!
UC CalFresh is thrilled to bring the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement to Fresno County schools! Are you interested in joining the movement? Please contact Shelby MacNab at smacnab@ucanr.edu or 559-241-7531 to get involved.