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Ending Processed School Meals: The Real Food Movement in Public Schools | Nora LaTorre

Ending Processed School Meals: The Real Food Movement in Public Schools | Nora LaTorre

Realfoodology

May 6, 20251h 8m

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Show Notes

247: Did you know public schools serve more meals than any restaurant chain in America? And yet, many of those meals come from fast food giants instead of farms. This week, I’m joined by the CEO of Real Certified—a company on a mission to change that. Through their initiative Eat Real, they’re working with school districts to replace ultra-processed cafeteria food with fresh, locally-sourced meals that kids actually enjoy.

In this episode, you’ll learn how Real Certified is empowering parents, partnering with real farmers, and making it easier than ever for schools to serve real, nutritious food. If you’ve ever looked at your child’s lunch tray and thought, “There has to be a better way,” this conversation is your answer.

Topics Discussed: 

  • How can parents help improve school lunches in public schools?

  • What is the Eat Real program and how does it work in school cafeterias?

  • Why are ultra-processed foods still being served in American school lunches?

  • What are the health impacts of poor nutrition in school-aged children?

  • How can schools transition from processed food to real, locally-sourced meals?

Timestamps: 

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction 

  • 00:05:08 – The Eat Real Mission Explained

  • 00:09:47 – Problems with U.S. School Lunches

  • 00:13:10 – Kids’ Health: Behavior & Fatty Liver

  • 00:22:16 – How Schools Source Better Food

  • 00:26:41 – Reforming School Lunch Programs

  • 00:32:45 – District-Level Support for School Meals

  • 00:38:06 – Teaching Kids About Healthy Eating

  • 00:40:25 – Why We Need to Rethink Nutrition

  • 00:44:07 – Real Food Transforming Schools

  • 00:48:41 – School Food Funding Challenges

  • 00:50:44 – Scaling the Eat Real Program

  • 00:51:45 – Prison Food & Public Health Costs

  • 00:56:02 – Fast Results from Nutrition Changes

  • 00:59:35 – Courtney Swan’s Healthy Restaurant Picks

  • 01:00:01 – How Parents Can Get Involved

  • 01:02:25 – California Bill AB1264 

  • 01:06:43 – Final Thoughts: Helping Kids Thrive

Sponsored By:

Check Out Eat Real:

Produced By: Drake Peterson


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