It can be challenging and time-consuming to pack students’ lunches and ensure that their meals are packed with nutritional value. Thankfully, at Downey Unified School District, we offer one free daily breakfast and lunch for all children 18 years and younger. Menus for each school can be found here by selecting your student’s school and which day you would like to view the menu.
In addition to allowing families to save money, eating lunch at school offers multiple other benefits.
At-school lunch options provide nutritional value.
Research shows that students who eat lunches offered by their schools consume more whole grains, milk, fruits, and vegetables during meal times and have better overall diet quality than those who do not. This is primarily because school-provided meals are required to meet certain nutrition requirements that include food groups most important to the health and well-being of children and adolescents.
Receiving school lunches helps reduce food insecurity for students.
When students choose from meals offered to them at school, they are less likely to experience feelings of shame or a lack of confidence. Because all students come from different backgrounds and possibly do not all have the same access to certain brands and specific foods at home, this may lead to insecurity. Rather than comparing themselves to others and what is available or not available to them in their pantries at home, students can feel more secure in the complete and healthy meals on their lunch trays.
School meal nutrition standards have resulted in positive impacts on food selection and consumption.
Research has shown that students who eat school lunches are more likely to opt for more fruits and vegetables than when eating meals outside of school. By providing students with nutritious options in our school cafeterias, schools are helping to ensure that children and adolescents learn healthy habits and continue to practice them regularly.
Meeting students’ nutritional needs can lead to a better overall learning environment.
There is considerable evidence that students who eat school-provided meals are more likely to have improved attendance, behavior, academic performance, and academic achievement. Receiving sufficient nutrients from whole grains, dairy, fruits, and vegetables helps students to stimulate their minds and to stay more focused throughout the school day.
By encouraging students to eat meals provided by our schools, we are helping them obtain lasting habits and support improving their health and well-being. For more information regarding Downey Unified’s free breakfast and lunch options for students, you can visit our Food Services website.