OCTOBER 15, 2024 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations
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MARION COUNTY CELEBRATES
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK
“Find Your Treasure!” Pirate Campaign Highlights #NSLW24
MARION COUNTY – To recognize the National School Lunch Program, serving 33,000 local students and nearly 30 million children nationwide each day, Marion County Public Schools this week celebrates National School Lunch Week.
So far this school year, MCPS cafeteria workers have served 1.3 million meals to students. Compared to the same timeframe last year, this is 6% higher for lunch and 5% higher for breakfast.
National School Lunch Week started in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy promoted the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom.
This year’s theme, “School Lunch Pirates: Find Your Treasure,” highlights the importance of a healthy school lunch to a student’s success both in and out of the classroom.
Research shows children receive their healthiest meals at school. National School Lunch Week will highlight the nutritious foods available daily at Marion County Public Schools, educate students about healthy choices, and encourage the importance of physical activity.
“School lunches offer students fruits and vegetables, whole grains and milk, and meet federal nutrition standards limiting fat, calories and sodium,” said Ramona Belcher, supervisor of Food and Nutrition Services for MCPS.
“National School Lunch Week helps us educate parents and students about all the wonderful benefits of our lunch program,” she added.
The federally funded National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has existed been fueling students for success for 77 years. MCPS students enjoy free lunch thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision initiative.
The “School Lunch Pirates: Find Your Treasure” campaign is made possible by the nonprofit School Nutrition Association. Parents and students can follow the fun on social media using the hashtags #NSLW24, #SchoolLunchPirates and #SchoolLunch.
For more information on National School Lunch Week, visit www.marionschools.net/cms/one.aspx?portalid=4755583&pageid=5948544 and schoolnutrition.org/nslw/.
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