The Akron Public Schools Student Board brought good questions and learned from two of our experts in child nutrition. Debra Foulk, executive director of APS Business Affairs, and Laura Kepler, coordinator APS Child Nutritional Services, brought a wealth of experience to their meeting with the students to discuss school meals and the HealthyHunger Free Kids Act of 2010. The ACT stipulates that students should have 750-850 average daily calories in a week and 1080mg average (or fewer) of sodium daily.
Students learned the numerous stipulations from the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 dictate the meal service for Akron Public Schools. The Student Board made the following recommendations/comments.
- Meals to football teams is a good program and should continue.
- All high schools should follow the Kenmore-Garfield High School model, believing that breakfast later in the day would allow more students to eat breakfast.
- Dinner served at buildings is a good option.
- Surveying students to determine food options is a good idea.
The Student Board is willing to lobby for changes in school lunch policies.
Students also participated in a leadership exercise facilitated by Tameka Ellington, Ph.D., CEO/founder of First Generation Revolutionaries.
