For all the focus on young children’s learning, one important thing is often overlooked. Before they can focus on learning to read or building friendships, children need nutritious food for their bodies, food that fuels their brains and powers their curiosity.
Unfortunately, according to findings from the North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank, approximately one in five children in the Dallas-Fort Worth area face hunger. When children are hungry, it’s harder for them to sit still, manage emotions or fully engage in their classrooms.
Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that students who eat regular healthy meals have better memory, attention spans and concentration. With that in mind, The Skyrise School treats nutrition as an essential part of the learning day by providing free nutritious meals to enrolled students.
The Skyrise School, which has several locations in DFW, participates in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to ensure students have what they need to thrive. The CACFP helps offset the cost of care for families who rely on subsidies and helps increase children’s access to healthy foods while they’re in daycare centers.
“Food is fuel for learning,” said Jeffery Perry, Registered Dietitian for The Skyrise School. “When children eat regular, balanced meals, we see better focus, steadier energy and more meaningful engagement in the classroom. Our goal is to give parents peace of mind by prioritizing the nourishment of both a child’s brain and body while helping families access affordable care they can trust.”
With the guidance from Skyrise’s Nutritional Advisory Team, children can enjoy kid-approved seasonal menus for essential meal times, including breakfast and lunch, as well as an afternoon snack and a healthy take-home snack. Meals are thoughtfully designed to give children the opportunity to expand their developing palettes while being nutritious enough to provide consistent energy throughout the day. Teachers and children practice family-style dining to help establish healthy eating habits, table manners and more time to eat and bond, says Perry.
With vegetarian options and accommodations for food allergies, parents can ensure their children are safe and receiving healthy meals aligned with nutritional guidelines, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
To learn more about how Skyrise Schools provide expert-prepared free meals for families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, please visit their site.
