School and Community Nutrition

All School and Community Nutrition Content

Box of vegetables

SDSU Extension launches produce prescription program Dakota Food Rx

June 25, 2024

Dakota Food Rx, supported by the South Dakota Community Foundation, allows qualifying patients to receive “prescriptions” from participating health care providers. Not technical prescriptions, they can be redeemed for boxes of fresh, locally grown produce from farms participating in community-supported agriculture shares.

Children sampling local produce in a school cafeteria.

Funding Your Farm to School Program

Starting or expanding a farm to school program comes with expenses. Learn about the many farm to school funding opportunities available from state, federal, and private/non-profit organizations.

Group of children eating school lunch in a cafeteria.

Farm to (More Than) School

Opportunities for local food procurement go beyond just school lunch! Learn about several child nutrition programs and settings that may accept local foods.

measuring honey using a tablespoon and filling a glass liquid measuring cup

iCook

Curriculum intended for out-of-school settings with the goal of promoting healthy lifestyles for 9- and 10-year-old youth and the adult who prepares their meals

Group of children enjoying school lunch in an elementary school cafeteria.

National School Lunch Week: ‘Lettuce’ Celebrate!

During National School Lunch Week, held each year in October, schools around the country celebrate all of the ways a school lunch can positively affect a child’s life, both at school and at home!

A young girl taking a banana from a tray of uneaten food.

Food Waste in Schools and Strategies to Reduce It

You may be wondering what can schools do to help in food waste reduction efforts? In school nutrition programs there are a variety of steps in which food loss can be controlled ranging from planning the meals to serving the food.

child enjoying whole wheat crackers and cheese

Healthy After-School Snacks & Activities

As my girls need healthy after-school snacks, I am working on trying to have easy nutritious snacks to hold them over until dinnertime and have fun activities to keep them busy when they get home off the bus.

Mother and father giving two young children a cooking lesson.

Cooking With Young Children: Tips and Age-Appropriate Activities

Cooking with children is a way to promote their future health by teaching valuable culinary skills and nutrition. Learn some expert tips for involving kids in the kitchen at every stage of their development!

Two young girls enjoying healthy snacks after school. Courtesy: Bob Nichols, USDA [CC BY 2.0].

Fueled for Fun!

This activity is appropriate for Pre-K-2nd grade (ages 4-7) and can be used by classrooms, small groups, or individuals.

Group of community members attending a fitness class.

Community Wellness Coalitions

Community wellness coalitions bring together community-based organizations, stakeholders and wellness experts to identify and address wellness challenges.