ISBE School Wellness Conference

Hunger doesn’t end when the bell rings at the end of the school day. Whether it is after school or summer vacation, there are child nutrition programs available that can ensure students are getting the nutrition they need to succeed year-round. Join us for an engaging and interactive session to learn about summer meal programs, after-school snack and supper programs, and more.

Why are sodium limits included as part of USDA school meal programs? Learn more about sodium and different types of salt, why they are used in food, and the health implications of getting too much sodium. We will also review planning and preparation strategies to manage weekly menu sodium levels. For those involved in wellness committees, we will also discuss healthier fundraising options to decrease the focus on high-sodium foods. Attendees will learn about sodium and strategies to reduce sodium in school meals.

This initiative is called the ABCs of School Nutrition. Participants can earn USDA Professional Standards credit and learn best practices for food service, meal planning, and more.  The Illinois State Board of Education partners with the University of Illinois Extension to provide resources and training to support school nutrition professionals in Illinois.

National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program operators are required to have a Local Wellness Policy, which is an important tool for promoting student wellness across the school environment. Attendees will learn about the required wellness policy elements, including policy language, public involvement, triennial assessments, ISBE monitoring, and more.

Chef Andy presents tips and tricks of the trade to safely and efficiently prepare and serve nutritious fruits and vegetables to students. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn food production kitchen hacks, knife skill demonstration, and what you can do with a Sunkist Sectionizer.

Chef Andy presents tips and tricks of the trade to safely and efficiently prepare and serve nutritious fruits and vegetables to students. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn food production kitchen hacks, knife skill demonstration, and what you can do with a Sunkist Sectionizer.