The Virginia Department of Education joins the Virginia School Food Service Association and the Virginia Department of Agriculture in recognizing the dedicated, hardworking professionals who prepare and serve good nutritious meals to students every school day. The school breakfast and lunch programs provide students with the energy and nutrients for optimal cognitive development and performance.
Research clearly demonstrates the strong relationship between nutrition and readiness to learn.
Access to healthy foods is essential and reinforces the classroom nutrition education. Good nutrition education and services, both in the classroom and the cafeteria, allow students to gain the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to make wise food choices. They learn that healthy foods are connected to physical, mental, emotional, and social health. The employees of the school nutrition programs are crucial members of the educational team. They provide nourishment to the students' bodies, so the educators can nourish their minds.