Fort Bend ISD’s Nutrition Month Toolkit
March is National Nutrition Month!
National Nutrition Month® is a way to promote positive school nutrition program practices and the healthfulness of school meals. This toolkit encourages students, staff, families, and the community to show their appreciation for the valuable and important contributions that school nutrition professionals offer each and every school day to provide nutritious meals to Fort Bend ISD students and to promote healthy eating and well-being.
Contents
- Getting Started
- Dates to Remember
- Nutrition Month Weekly Messages
- Connect with Family
- Connect with Yourself
- Connect with Us
- Nutrition Month Featured Recipes
- Nutrition Month Digital Library
- Nutrition Month Activities
- National School Breakfast Week
- National Ag Day
- National CACFP Day
- Adopt a Cow
- Harvest of the Month
- Farm Fresh Initiative
- Hydroponic Garden
- James Reese CTE Chopped Competition
- Toolkit Resource
- Credits and Acknowledgements
- References
Getting Started
2025 Theme - Food Connects Us
This year's theme is "Food Connects Us." Food is a connecting factor for many of us. Food connects us to our cultures, our families, and our friends. Sharing a meal is an opportunity to learn about its preparation, who made it, and where the ingredients were sourced. Health, memories, traditions, seasons, and access can all impact our relationship with food. While these factors influence the foods we eat, the foods we eat also affect our health.
Dates to Remember
Celebrate National Nutrition Month
March 1-31 - National Nutrition Month
March 3-7 - National School Breakfast Week
March 4 - CTE Chopped Winning Breakfast Recipe, Huevos Rancheros
March 6 - CTE Chopped Winning Breakfast Recipe, Chorizo and Potato Breakfast Taco
March 10-14 - Spring Break
March 12 - Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day
March 13 - Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered Day
March 16-22 - National CACFP Week
March 17 - Luck O'the Ice Cup served during lunch
March 18 - National Agriculture Day
March 28 - Harvest of the Month Feature Day - Button Mushrooms
Nutrition Month Weekly Messages
Week 1: Connect with Food
- Learn cooking, food preparation and meal planning skills.
- Explore where your food comes from.
- Learn about community resources such as SNAP, WIC and local food banks.
Week 2: Connect with a Nutrition Expert
- Ask your doctor for a referral to an RDN.
- Find an RDN who specializes in your unique needs.
- Receive personalized nutrition information to meet your health goals.
Week 3: Explore the Connections between Food and Culture
- Experiment with recipes using different ingredients or cooking techniques.
- Include your favorite cultural foods and traditions or try new global flavors.
- Enjoy your meals with family or friends, when possible.
Week 4: Build the Connection cross All Stages of Life
- Learn how nutrients needs may change with age.
- Include healthful foods from all food groups.
- Focus on balanced and sustainable eating habits.
Connect with Family
The Importance of Family Culinary Traditions
Families create lasting memories by preparing meals together. This is enriched by adding the additional aspect of growing food at home or patronizing neighboring farmers. When families sit down to eat together, they can talk about their day, share stories, and laugh together. They can remember growing their own vegetables or going to a local dairy to purchase cheese or milk. All of these shared experiences can strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.
Here are some tips for incorporating family culinary traditions into your life:
- Set aside time to cook together. Even if it is just once a week, make time to cook a traditional meal together as a family. This can be a fun and bonding experience for everyone involved.
- Involve your children in the cooking process. This is a great way to teach them about food and cooking, and it can also help them to develop a love of cooking.
- Grow a garden at home so children can see where their food comes from. Even if it is a small container garden producing tomatoes and basil, it will help them understand the importance of farms.
- Take your children food shopping and teach them about where food is grown and the journey it takes to get to our tables. This will reinforce the importance of buying local foods and is a great lesson in geography!
- Make mealtimes a special occasion. Turn off the TV, put away the phones, and focus on each other during mealtimes. This is a great opportunity to connect with your family and create lasting memories.
- Pass it on. When your children are old enough, teach them how to cook the family recipes. This is a great way to keep the tradition alive and ensure that it is passed down to future generations.
Connect with Yourself
Show Yourself Some Love Through Food
Food is an important part of self-care. It has been said that positive words, such as a gratitude practice or prayer, can actually change the structure of your food so that your body can readily accept the healing benefits it can provide. Whether this is true or not, at the very least you may feel a deeper connection to the food you are about to put into your body.
Here are some tips on showing yourself some love through food:
- Pay attention to your body's reactions to both food and the environment.
- Scan your plate before your first bite to see all the health benefits you will receive from your freshly cooked meal.
- Take your first bite, and chew thoroughly. Savor the flavor. The more thoroughly your chew your food, the better this is for your digestion.
- Notice all of the different colors and aromas.
- Feel the different textures.
- Enjoy meals with those you love.
Connect with Us
There are many ways students can connect with our school nutrition team and develop a deeper understanding of the food they're served.
An RDN can help people of all ages get the nutrition guidance they need by developing a safe, realistic eating plan and providing creative meal planning strategies to help you stay motivated. Ask our nutrition expert, Dietitian Susan Nayeri, about hosting Nutrition Education for students at your campus.
Nutrition Month Digital Library
Eat, Drink, Move: Smart Nutrition for Better Physical Performance
Watch as Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson Yasi Ansari, MS, RDN, CSSD, shares tips to support and enhance physical activity through nutritious food choices and hydration. Learn more about sports nutrition best practices at eatright.org.
Eat Right on a Budget
Eating healthfully doesn't mean you have to break the bank! Watch this video to learn strategies to shop for healthy foods on any budget.
Sustainable Eating
Get tips for eating sustainability with registered dietitian and nutritionist and Academy Spokesperson, Lena Beal!
What a Registered Dietitian Can Do for You
When you need food and nutrition information based on fact or need to know how a healthy diet improves health and fights disease—rely on qualified professionals in the field!
Nutrition Month Featured Recipes
Whether you’re looking for a quick, nutritious snack or a hearty meal to share with family and friends, these recipes are packed with goodness and easy to make. Explore new flavors, get creative in the kitchen, and discover how food connects us all!
Breakfast: Tuna Hash
This robust and easily customizable breakfast recipe incorporates affordable ingredients.
Lunch: Salmon Cake Lettuce Wraps with Lemon-Yogurt Sauce
This light and flavorful meal comes together easily thanks to canned salmon.
Dinner: Penne with Lentils and Kale
A nourishing vegan meal is made in one skillet for a quick weeknight supper.
Dessert: No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Oats Bars
Both crispy and chewy, these bars make a great dessert for little ones. Plus, they are full of whole grains.
Nutrition Month Activities
Fact or Fiction
Fact or Fiction activities are used to teach critical thinking skills by helping students distinguish between factual statements and fictional statements.
Word Search
Enjoy this fun Nutrition Month word search and celebrate how Food Connects Us—download and play today!"
National School Breakfast Week
Clue in to School Breakfast: A Week of Fun and Flavor
This year’s National School Breakfast Week was a huge success as we celebrated with the theme “Clue in to School Breakfast”! Students across the district enjoyed an exciting week filled with nutritious meals, interactive activities, and engaging nutrition education.
One of the highlights was the debut of two student-created recipes on our breakfast menu—Huevos Rancheros and Chorizo & Potato Breakfast Tacos. These delicious new additions were a hit, leading to an increase in student breakfast participation districtwide!
Each morning, students put on their detective hats for our “Who Am I?” game, where daily clues helped them uncover key meal components and learn more about their nutritional benefits. Those who correctly solved the mystery won special prizes!
We were also honored to welcome Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith to Scanlan Oaks Elementary, where he joined in the fun by presenting the winning student detective with their School Breakfast Prize. We are grateful for his support in emphasizing the importance of starting the day with a balanced meal!
Thank you to our incredible Child Nutrition team for making this week memorable and ensuring that every student has access to a nutritious, energizing breakfast. Let’s keep fueling up for success—breakfast is the best way to start the day!
National Ag Day
Each year, National Ag Day recognizes and celebrates the abundance provided by agriculture across the United States.
A time when producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America gather to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture.
National CACFP Week
Celebrate CACFP Week, March 16-22
CACFP Week is a national education and information campaign sponsored annually the third week of March (March 16-22) by the National CACFP Sponsors Association. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program works to combat hunger.
The CACFP brings healthy foods to tables across the country for children in child care centers, homes, and afterschool programs as well as adults in day care.
Meet May: Fort Bend ISD's Adopted Calf
Discover Dairy: Bring the Dairy Farm Into Your Classroom
The Fort Bend ISD Child Nutrition Department is excited to participate in the Discover Dairy, Adopt a Cow Program! This year, we’ve adopted a sweet Holstein calf named May from Rottinghaus Holstein Farm in Seneca, Kansas.
May will be ‘moo’ving around the district, bringing fun and educational experiences to our elementary campuses. Students will have the chance to learn about dairy farming, enjoy coloring activities, and even write letters to May and her farmers! This program helps connect students both in the classroom and virtually to the world of agriculture while strengthening community ties.
What makes this program special is that students and their families can follow May’s journey with calf updates and photos on the Discover Dairy app using cow code MAY!
Stay tuned for more updates on May’s adventures!
March 24-26 -As part of our National Nutrition Month celebration, we are excited to share that Fort Bend ISD’s Adopt a Cow, May, will be visiting Malala Elementary from Monday, March 24 to Wednesday, March 26! Don’t worry, it’s just a plush cow!
Harvest of the Month
Encouraging Students to Eat Texas-Grown Fruits and Vegetables
The Harvest of the Month (HOTM) program is the Fort Bend ISD Child Nutrition Department's farm-to-school initiative, designed to highlight a different locally sourced food item each month. By featuring these fresh ingredients in school meals, HOTM fosters a connection between students and the food they eat while promoting healthy, seasonal choices. This initiative also encourages collaboration among School Nutrition Programs, local farmers, teachers, and the broader community, creating opportunities for nutrition education and supporting sustainable agriculture.
The Harvest of the Month feature for button mushrooms will take place during lunch on March 28, served as a delicious pizza topping.
Farm Fresh Initiative
Fort Bend ISD Receives Cream of the Crop Recognition for Farm Fresh Challenge
We are proud to announce that our school nutrition team has been honored with the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Cream of the Crop Recognition for our outstanding participation in the 2024 Farm Fresh Challenge! This accolade highlights our commitment to incorporating fresh, local foods into school meals while educating students and the community about the importance of nutrition and local agriculture.
What is the Farm Fresh Challenge? The Farm Fresh Challenge is an annual initiative by the Texas Department of Agriculture that takes place every October. It encourages Child Nutrition Program operators across the state to serve local foods, teach students about local products and nutrition, and share their farm-to-school journey on social media. By pledging to participate, schools like ours demonstrate a dedication to promoting healthier food options and supporting Texas farmers.
Each year, the Challenge provides opportunities to engage students, staff, and the broader community in meaningful conversations about where food comes from and why eating local is beneficial. Participants who meet and exceed the Challenge’s goals earn recognition from TDA, and this year, Fort Bend ISD’s efforts were celebrated at the highest level with the Cream of the Crop award.
A New Tier for Excellence. This year’s Challenge introduced an exciting third tier to recognize participants who consistently go above and beyond. Fort Bend ISD rose to the occasion, setting a new standard for excellence. From creatively incorporating local produce into our menus to hosting engaging nutrition education activities, our school nutrition team showcased innovation and dedication every step of the way.
Looking ahead, we encourage everyone to join us in supporting the Farm Fresh Challenge. Whether it’s by exploring the benefits of eating local, participating in educational activities, or simply sharing the message on social media, there are many ways to get involved.
Hydroponic Garden
Cultivating a Healthier Future
Research indicates students who consume balanced, nutrient-dense meals demonstrate improved academic performance. Additionally, hydroponics presents valuable educational opportunities, including allowing students to explore the science behind sustainable agriculture, nutrition and other STEM-related activities.
To implement this initiative, the district partnered with Fork Farms, a hydroponic farming company that provides the Flex Farm — an indoor vertical hydroponic system. The company caters to schools and offers free support for teachers who would like to integrate hydroponic farming into their lesson plans.
“We believe Fork Farms can create a positive educational and nutritional experience for our students,” Dietitian Susan Nayeri said. “Our goal is to incorporate this program into the district, potentially as an extracurricular activity or within curriculums blending science, nutrition, and even culinary arts.”
Hydroponic farming aligns with the FBISD Child Nutrition Department's mission to provide students with nutritious food, support academic excellence, achieve economic stability and offer essential nutritional services to students, staff and the community. Read more about our Flex Farm in the Fort Bend ISD article.
Enhancing the positive view of fresh food and nutrition, and strengthening community connections.
James Reese CTE Chopped Winning Recipes
Battle of the Breakfast: Chopped Competition Winners
School Breakfast Week is heating up with a special treat for students across Fort Bend ISD! In February, our talented James Reese CTE Culinary students went head-to-head in a Battle of the Breakfast Chopped-style competition, showcasing their creativity and culinary skills. Now, the winning dishes are making their way to school breakfast menus!
March 4 - Huevo Rancheros: A flavorful and satisfying breakfast wrapped in warm tortillas.
March 6 - Chorizo and Potato Breakfast Tacos: A perfect blend of spice and comfort wrapped up in a taco!
Toolkit Resources
Parent Resources:
- Eat Right on a Budget | With a little know-how and advance planning, you can enjoy nutritious foods while sticking to a tight budget.
- Sustainable Eating | Unless you're a farmer, the best way to support sustainable farming is to eat sustainably. Sustainable eating is about choosing foods that are healthful to our environment and our bodies.
- What a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Can Do for You | When you need food and nutrition information based on fact or need to know how a healthy diet improves health and fights disease—rely on qualified professionals in the field.
- ChooseMyPlate.gov | General nutrition information.
Student Resources
- Healthy Eating During Adolescence | Eating healthy is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and is something that should be taught at a young age.
- Is Breakfast the Most Important Meal of the Day? | Understanding the role of breakfast in the daily routine of a youth athlete is crucial. It's not just about fuelling the body for the day ahead but also about setting the tone for nutritional habits that can impact performance, recovery, and overall health.
- Make Healthy Choices as You Grow | During the teenage years, you’re beginning to make your own decisions – and that’s pretty awesome! One of the ways you can make smart choices is in the foods you eat.
- Take Charge of Your Health: A Guide for Teenagers | As you get older, you make more choices that affect your body and your health. This guide provides information that will help you stay on track with your overall health and wellness.
Credits and Acknowledgements
This publication is available from the Fort Bend ISD Child Nutrition Department.
Author & Web Design/Developer - Briana Garcia | Fort Bend ISD Child Nutrition, Marketing
Contributors - Susan Nayeri, RD | Fort Bend ISD Child Nutrition, Dietitian
Editors - Debra Somerville | Fort Bend ISD Child Nutrition, Specialist and Susan Nayeri, RDN/LD | Fort Bend ISD Child Nutrition, Dietitian
References
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | www.eatright.org
National Nutrition Month Recipe Imagery | www.eatright.org
National School Breakfast Week Resources | www.fns.usda.gov
National Ag Day | www.agday.org
National CACFP Week | www.cacfp.org
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