Nutrition director advocates for meal programs

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Looking towards July, nutrition directors in schools across the country are urging federal lawmakers to strengthen their support of school nutrition programs.

Jessica Gould, the nutrition director at Littleton Public Schools, was one of 800 school nutrition professionals who went to Washington D.C. in March to call for changes at the School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) annual legislative action conference. ey urged Congress to nancially support school meal programs, slow regulatory changes and take steps towards o ering free school meals for all students.

“If (kids) don’t have nutrition in them, are they going to be able to learn all the things that we’re doing and teaching them in school?” Gould said. “Giving every child the opportunity to have a nutritious breakfast and lunch keeps them fueled for their day so that they can learn and that they can reach their highest potential.”

Federal funding

Congress dropped billions in COVID relief from its spending bill in 2022, including money that allowed schools to o er free meals to all students during the pandemic. At that time, Gould and her colleagues