This school year, we are pleased to roll out a new program that will make it easier for families to access free meals for their children at school. Known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), it allows eligible schools to serve free meals to all students regardless of individual family income. […]
Keeping up with our social media accounts is an easy way to stay engaged in and informed about our programming. Recent posts include program updates, meal photos, and creative craft and exercise ideas. We are also running several contests throughout the summer months. […]
The Archdiocesan Office of Nutritional Development Services (NDS) has been a sponsor of the School Meals programs for over forty years. In the past five years, NDS has also assisted area schools with participation in the federally-funded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). […]
To celebrate the beginning of the Summer Meals Program, Nutritional Development Services (NDS) joined representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the City of Philadelphia, the Coalition Against Hunger, and the Philadelphia Eagles at the Columbia North YMCA Day Camp for an hour of fun, educational lessons and games followed by a healthy lunch from NDS. […]
Every year, Nutritional Development Services begins the Summer Meals Program with a blessing of the summer. This year, we kicked off the 2014 Summer Meals Program at St. Athanasius Parish Camp with a peace-themed blessing. […]
Only a fraction of the children who receive free or reduced-price school lunches are reached by the summer meals program. With summer on the horizon and this alarming gap in mind, Nutritional Development Services (NDS) was happy to host a recent meeting of local Summer Meal sponsors, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) administrators, University of Pennsylvania’s Fox Leadership Executive Director, and Ms. Audrey Rowe, Administrator of Food and Nutrition Services for the United States Department of Agriculture. […]
Ensuring that children receive nutritious school meals requires school-wide cooperation. Yesterday, we were able to give back to staff by offering a complimentary healthy school meal to staff members at our partner schools. […]
Have you ever noticed a child’s hesitation to trying new foods? Even if they are not picky eaters, many children need repeated exposures to foods in order to accept them and want to try them. […]
Whether your school participates in Terra Nova or PSSA testing, eating a healthy breakfast is essential to getting students prepared and focused for standardized testing. Nutritional Development Services supports the success of our community by offering free breakfast to all students at our partner schools during standardized testing. […]
All year long, we emphasize the importance of eating fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and other staples of the National School Lunch Program and Breakfast Program. We encourage students to try new foods and we explain their health benefits. However, when it comes to holiday parties and other classroom celebrations, high-sugar, high-fat snacks like cupcakes and chips are the norm. […]
