Back to School

Summer will still be here for awhile, but with school starting up soon, seasons are already beginning to change for families with children. That doesn't mean the temperatures will drop or leaves will change colors any time soon. It does mean that students heading back to school will have different routines. Parents tend to have less control over what children eat during the school year, especially if they eat school lunches. They may also have more access to vending machines. According to school surveys, 43% of elementary, 74% of middle, and 98% of high schools have vending machines. What they are stocked with varies. Some schools have made an effort to offer healthier options, but ultra-processed foods nearly always have more sugar and more additives than whole foods. Fruit drinks, sodas, teas, and even carbonated waters can be flavored with a whole host of questionable ingredients. Some of the "healthier" options aren't really all that healthy when looking at what they contain.

What is a parent to do? Well, one thing is to talk with your students about nutrition at home. Why do you choose the foods in your refrigerator and freezer? If you study labels for ingredients, it's important to share why you do that. It encourages them to make better choices on their own when they know the reasons behind your choices. When you shop for grass-fed and pasture-raised meats over commercial or processed, let them know it's because of a respect for the nutritional content, respect for the animals, and respect for the planet. Regenerative farming is concerned with all of these factors. When you shop for organically raised fruits and veggies, let them know it's because they tend to be healthier without all the chemicals.

Family meal times become even more important when school is in session. Make sure your students are getting at least one healthy meal a day at home if possible. Growing minds and bodies often need snacks too. Send them off with better options than what will be available in the school vending machines. We offer a wide range of healthy snack alternatives like meat sticks, jerky, cheese, summer sausage, pemmican, and more. See our Back to School category for savings on kid's favorites throughout the week.

All the Best,  Team USWM