About the Issue
Many East Ridge High students rely on school lunches, but portion sizes and meal quality remain inadequate. This has led to students going hungry, particularly athletes with higher caloric needs, and dissatisfaction with repetitive menu items.
Impact of Poor Nutrition
Health Challenges
Insufficient meals can lead to hunger, reduced energy, and poor academic performance.
Learning Impacts
Nutritious meals improve focus and academic outcomes for students.
Community Benefits
Improved school lunches can foster healthier habits across the community.
Proposed Solutions
- Collaborate with local farms to source fresh ingredients for meals.
- Involve students in menu planning via surveys and feedback sessions.
- Adjust portion sizes based on grade levels and caloric needs.
Mini Bios
JT Jonah
Lead Survey Collector | PhD in Community Nutrition, Harvard University
Contact: jsperraz@apps.district833.org
Hank
Strategist | MPA in Public Policy, Yale University
Contact: hhughes@apps.district833.org
Moathe
Writer & Analyst | BA in Communications, Stanford University
Contact: malghaza1@apps.district833.org
Contact Us
Have suggestions or want to get involved? Reach out at malghaza1@apps.district833.org.
Sources
Student Survey Results (Primary Source)
Nutrition Services Staff Interview (Primary Source)
South Washington County Schools. Nutrition Services Annual Report 2023. SoWashCo.org, 2023. https://www.sowashco.org/services/nutrition.
Minnesota Department of Education. Free School Meals for Kids Bill. 2022. https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/FNS/SNP/.
Weber, Sydney. “What Happened to Lunch?” The Ridge Review, Oct. 28, 2021. https://www.ridgereview.info/home/2021/10/28/what-happened-to-lunch.
UC Health. “Teen Nutrition Guidelines.” 2023. https://www.uchealth.org/.
Student Survey Results
The survey conducted among East Ridge High School students revealed the following insights:
- 47 students reported that portion sizes are too small.
- 32 students expressed concerns about food quality.
- 19 students highlighted the lack of menu variety.
- Only 4 students stated they were satisfied with the meals.
This feedback underscores the urgent need to address issues of portion sizes, food quality, and menu diversity in our school lunches.