Good nutrition leads to great academic performance.

Your body needs healthy fuel to perform, grow and ward off illness and disease. Would you feed a million-dollar racehorse junk food & soda? Of course not, so think about what you eat...because you are worth far more than a horse!

Good nutrition has a positive and direct impact on your ability to do well in school. When your nutritional needs are met, you have the cognitive energy to learn and achieve. You will be better prepared to learn, more likely to attend school, and more apt to take advantage of learning opportunities.

Protein – Choose a variety of foods with lean protein. Protein is an indispensable nutrient and can be found throughout every tissue in our body. Protein is a vital source of energy but the most important function of protein is building and repairing tissue. We also need protein for our immune function. Proteins transport vitamins and minerals throughout our bodies.

Grains – Make half of all the grains you eat whole grains. Eating grains, especially whole grains, provides health benefits. Dietary fiber from whole grains may help reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Grains are important sources of many nutrients, including various B vitamins, magnesium, and selenium.

Vegetables - Make at least half of your plate of fruits and vegetables. Eating vegetables provides health benefits — people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for the health and maintenance of your body.

Fruits – Make at least half of your plate of fruits and vegetables. Eating fruit provides health benefits — people who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Fruits provide nutrients vital for the health and maintenance of your body.

Dairy – Always choose fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk. Milk and dairy products are especially important to bone health during the school-aged years when bone mass is being built. It provides important sources of calcium, potassium, and vitamin D, and helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and helps to lower blood pressure in adults.

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

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To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: USDA Complaint Form, from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or
3. email:
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