It’s about that time of year again! Kids are heading back to school, which means school lunches are back on the menu. According to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), school lunch is one of the most critical parts of students’ health and well-being. Additionally, it plays a significant role in their development.
Peddler’s Son is one of Arizona’s leading wholesale produce suppliers for quality products and on-time delivery. We serve a wide range of industries, including those in healthcare, education, catering, restaurants, and grocery stores. We take pride in our services and look forward to nurturing incredible relationships with our clients. Read our article below and learn what your students should be eating in their school lunches.
School Lunches For Young Children
It’s no secret that young children are often picky about the food they eat. But, it doesn’t change the fact that they need nutritious meals for sustenance and positive development. Children’s needs vary widely, depending on their growth and level of physical activity. For example, they depend on energy to get them through their day. Resulting in children needing a diet that’s more protein, vitamins, and minerals heavy.
Young children who eat nutritious school lunches often experience improved cognitive function. This includes a greater ability to conceptualize and solve problems more efficiently. Moreover, nutritious lunches lead to better attention spans and higher test scores.
Food For Kids Entering Their Teenage Years
The development stages between young children and their teenage years can be stressful. Not only is it an important time for their social and educational development, but it’s an important time for their physical growth. This means there should be a big emphasis on high protein items like nuts, legumes, lean meats, fish, and fruits. Also, it’s important to build up their calcium intake, meaning more milk, yogurt, and cheese (reduced fat).
Another important benefit of establishing a balanced diet in school lunches is how it affects students’ behavior. Campbellville University states, “Scientists have also established a link between student behavior and nutrition. Access to proper nutrition can help students maintain psychosocial well-being and reduce aggression. This can have a positive effect on students by avoiding discipline and school suspension.”
School Lunches for Older Teens and Young Adults
The high school and college years… what a blast. This is a time where students start finding themselves and take part in a wide range of activities, like sports, theatre, and so many more. While students undoubtedly have a busy schedule, they must maintain a healthy diet. It is the school and the students’ responsibility to ensure they are being fed school lunches that meet their dietary needs.
In order to concentrate on their schoolwork and extracurricular activities, students should eat nutritious meals to boost their concentration. According to Lunch Mob, what we eat directly affects how our brains function. So, eating foods that are high in vitamins B, C, D3, and Magnesium can help their focus and productivity. Serving items such as green beans, spinach, and fruit can do wonders for the average high schooler. Additionally, having a well-balanced breakfast helps students get off to a great start!
Peddler’s Son Supplies Cafeterias With Produce for Nutritious School Lunches
As a family-owned wholesale produce distributor since 1988, Peddler’s Son is here to help you grow. We provide exceptional customer service through transparency and integrity while building valuable relationships with Arizona organizations with the best quality fresh produce and provisions. We ensure your operations go off without a hitch and your menu shows the level of integrity your customers deserve from your business.
Contact us today and learn how Peddler’s Son can help you move your organization forward.