Educational Shifts and Foodservice Challenges: What You Need to Know
Four Proven Results of a Focus on Food
1. Increased Test Scores A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that school districts that increased calories on test days experienced increased pass rates of 11% higher in Math, 6% higher in English, and 6% higher in History/Social Studies. 1 Further, a 2019 study from the Maxwell School Center for Policy Research (out of Syracuse University) found that Universal Free School Meals (UFSMs) had a positive effect on the test scores of middle school students for poor and non-poor students, with the highest increase in non-poor students. The study also found that UFSMs increased participation in school lunch, which improved student performance on both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math exams for all students. 2 Across all of our research, the results are consistent: Access to healthy food leads to higher test scores. That is success for the institution and success for our children. 2. Enhanced Mental Health In a November 2023 study, The National Center for Education Statistics reported that student’s social, emotional, and mental health were among the highest concerns of parents, teachers, and students. Further, the same study showed
that students’ main concerns were primarily social-based - such as missing out on events, activities, extracurriculars, and sports. Community is built around food. What party, social event, or gathering doesn’t eventually end up in the kitchen? Food is a natural connector. Community is critical for us to thrive. This is especially true for someone with mental illness who is already experiencing the common symptoms of loneliness and isolation. 3 Social isolation is associated with higher anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and suicide rates. On the contrary, social connectedness correlates with lower anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and suicide rates. 4 How do we start to increase a sense of social connectedness? RDG believes coming together for a meal is part of the answer. 4
Brownsburg High School, Brownsburg, IN
1, 2. NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH 3. NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH 4. FHE HEALTH
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