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Let's give a round of applause for all the School Lunch Heroes out there on School Lunch Hero Day, which takes place on the first Friday in May! This special day has been celebrated since 2010 and was created to recognize the hardworking individuals who provide students with healthy meals each and every day. From cafeteria staff to nutritionists, these heroes are dedicated to making sure that students have access to nutritious food during the school day. So let's take a moment to thank them for their efforts and show our appreciation!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1946</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National School Lunch Program</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United States establishes the National School Lunch Program to provide low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualified students.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Creation of School Lunch Hero Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The School Nutrition Association creates School Lunch Hero Day to honor cafeteria staff and their contribution to student health and well-being.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Book Inspires Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The children's book "Lunch Lady" by Jarrett Krosoczka inspires increased recognition of cafeteria workers' roles in schools, leading to more widespread celebration of School Lunch Hero Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition in Legislation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Several U.S. states officially recognize School Lunch Hero Day in their legislative calendars, further increasing its prominence.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Promotion by Public Figures</div><div class='timeline-text'>Prominent figures, such as former First Lady Michelle Obama, begin publicly acknowledging School Lunch Hero Day, offering their thanks to cafeteria staff nationwide.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Thank your school lunch hero</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a moment to thank your school lunch hero for all of their hard work and dedication to providing healthy meals to the students in your community. A simple thank you can go a long way.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a potluck</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a potluck in honor of your school lunch hero. Ask each person who participates to bring a dish that is healthy and tasty for everyone to enjoy.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write a letter</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Write a letter expressing your gratitude towards your school lunch hero. Let them know how much their hard work and dedication means to you and the community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a video</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create a video about your school lunch hero, highlighting all of the great things they do for the students and the community. Share it on social media so everyone can see how awesome they are.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Volunteer with your local school lunch program to help out in any way you can. Whether it’s packing lunches or helping serve meals, anything you can do will be greatly appreciated.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It shows appreciation for school lunch heroes</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>School Lunch Hero Day is a great opportunity to thank school cafeteria workers and nutrition staff for all the hard work they do providing healthy meals for students. It's an important reminder of their dedication to making sure kids get nutritious food every day - even in difficult times!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness of the importance of school lunches</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>School Lunch Hero Day highlights how important it is for children to have access to healthy, nutritious meals at school. It's a reminder that these meals are more than just food – they are fuel for learning, creativity and growth!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the accomplishments of school lunch providers</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>School Lunch Hero Day is a tribute to the amazing achievements of those who provide school lunch programs. These individuals go above and beyond every day, providing young people with delicious foods and helping make sure they have access to nutritious meals regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>School Lunch Heroes serve around 31 million meals daily in the U.S</h3><p class='facts-content'>The dedicated individuals working in the National School Lunch Program provide approximately 31 million meals to children across America every school day.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>School Lunch Heroes receive Specialized Training</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many lunch heroes undergo significant training in nutrition, sanitary food preparation, and dealing with food allergies—skills necessary to efficiently run a cafeteria.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>They Contribute towards Reducing Food Insecurity</h3><p class='facts-content'>With their daily school meals, School Lunch Heroes play a crucial role in reducing child food insecurity, especially for children from low-income families who rely on these meals.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>School Lunch Heroes often Take Extra Roles</h3><p class='facts-content'>Aside from serving meals, many cafeteria workers take up roles as mentors and friends to students, making a more positive environment in schools.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>They are Champions of Healthy Eating</h3><p class='facts-content'>Through their carefully planned and well-balanced meals, School Lunch Heroes promote healthy dietary habits amongst students impacting their overall health and academic performance.</p></div></div>
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