5 Ways School Meals Can Address Picky Eating

Many school age children elementary ages through high school have difficulties with being ‘picky’ eaters. How do we overcome these hurdles to picky eating? School can be a great place for students to try new foods and it is a unique setting to do so. 

1. Menu Diversity

Most schools, including the Academy, has a rotating menu in which students are exposed to about 10 different menu options throughout the entire semester. Each item exposes students to a new flavor profile and set of ingredients along with many different fruit and vegetables. We are required to meet minimums in regards to types of vegetables. We are not permitted to just serve 1 or 2 types of vegetables all week but instead have to ensure everything from dark greens to legumes are represented each week. This ensures students are exposed to a variety of nutrients and types of foods, which over time allows them to expand their palate. 

2. Positive Peer Pressure

When students see other students positively receiving items and they are more likely to try out those foods. At times picky eating can become a battle of the wills between parent and the child. Students sometimes just need a change in setting! When they are in the cafeteria surrounded by other students eating school lunch they let their guard down and will even eat new foods because they see other students doing so. 

3. Try it and Try it Again

In the long term eating school meals will allow the student greater growth in terms of what they are willing to eat. Though they may start out not eating much or only trying a few items over time students begin to adapt and grow. The change will take time, but even a bite of a new item is a huge win for students who are struggling. It takes at least 15-20 times of trying a new item for children to adapt or start liking a new food, the repetition will take time but will pay off in the long term. The school menu allows for some repetition but enough diversity that the student doesn’t feel they are eating the same thing everyday. 

4. Resolves Decision Fatigue

Packing lunches can be a challenge, school lunches take away the fatigue that comes in trying to meal plan and ensure your student is being pushed to try new things. School meals can benefit picky eaters ensuring that your student doesn’t get in a rut of only asking for or eating certain items. Though packed lunches can have some diversity over time it can be difficult to keep up with what your student should be eating or fight them when it comes to what they want you as the parent to pack.

5. Empowers Your Student

The lunch line can become a time for your student feel empowered to make some decisions on their own. Meal times are often a time when students have small choices to make, which vegetables they want, which sauces to choose, etc. These moments allow the student feel empowered to make decisions and yet still receive a healthy meal. 


School meals can truly support you, as the parent, in your journey to teaching your child to eat nutritious food. Though it is not always an easy route over time, students can and will adapt, learn and grow which is exactly what they are at school to do, whether in the classroom or at meal time.

Relax, You Are At The Right Place: How the Academy is Benefitting Your Student

It can be difficult switching schools for both students and parents alike. Not only are you concerned with how your child will adjust to the new curriculum, new classmates, new environments, and new teachers, but you also wonder how you will fit in. After all, you cared enough about your child’s education that you enrolled them in a private, Christian school, and so it’s likely you will be wanting to know more than just what grades they are getting each quarter. 

Thankfully, at the Academy, you don’t have to worry about whether or not you made the right decision for your student. If you are looking for a place where biblically literate staff will do their best to ensure your child is mentally, socially, and spiritually prepared for the world they live in, then you are at the right place. Yeah, it may take some time to get adjusted, but we think you’ll like it. Here’s why: 

We’re Biblically Grounded

The Academy for GOD believes in the authority of scripture, which is why they dedicate time and energy to studying it in depth. This allows them to apply it in every aspect of the school, from the events they plan to the curriculum they teach and even the attitudes they teach with. Our desire is for Biblical values to permeate all that we do, because it is through God’s word that we learn about him, and through obedience to his Word is how we can draw close to him. 

We’re Holistic

With classes to increase emotional intelligence and weekly spiritual emphasis days, we are concerned about more than just a child’s mental aptitude. Emotional awareness and spirituality will help form healthy social connections among students, so that they are developing holistically. A holistic approach also means we are thrilled whenever the parents get involved. Whether they are cheering during sports or volunteering at a school event, parental involvement helps create a healthy environment children can flourish in. 

We’re Relevant 

The Academy is not mindlessly replicating educational systems and traditions that have been set by generations past, instead, they are implementing effective fact-based educational strategies to ensure this next generation of students is going to be prepared for the times they are growing up in. They are making the necessary changes so your children are being taught relevant content and skills to make them future leaders. 

Don’t just Take our word for it, look at the fruit…

If you are really wondering how well the Academy prepares your kids for their future, just ask any Academy graduate. Jesus tells us to judge a tree by its fruit, and we have confidence in those who have graduated from our institution that they can be a testament to the kind of fruit we produce. 

The Academy for GOD Receives 2023 Best of Old Hickory Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Academy for GOD Receives 2023 Best of Old Hickory Award

Old Hickory Award Program Honors the Achievement

OLD HICKORY, September 8, 2023 -- The Academy for GOD has been selected for the 2023 Best of Old Hickory Award in the Elementary school category by the Old Hickory Award Program.

Each year, the Old Hickory Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Old Hickory area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2023 Old Hickory Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Old Hickory Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Old Hickory Award Program

The Old Hickory Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Old Hickory area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Old Hickory Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Old Hickory Award Program

CONTACT:
Old Hickory Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@cities-distinction.com
URL: http://www.cities-distinction.com

Nourishing Our Future: The Local Foods to Schools Grant

The Academy’s nutrition program has embarked on an exciting journey this year. Thanks to the "Local Foods to Schools" grant, we have the opportunity to purchase fresh produce and meat directly from small local farms. This initiative not only supports local farmers but also promises to provide our students with nutritious, high-quality meals while reducing the environmental footprint of our food supply. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of the grant and our partnership with Pure Pastures, a family-owned farm in Barren Plains, Tennessee.


Nutrient-Rich Harvest

One of the key advantages of sourcing food locally is that it allows us to deliver nutrient-dense meals to our students. As a general rule, the longer the journey from harvest to table, the more nutrients a food item loses. By purchasing fruits and vegetables from nearby farms, we can ensure that our students enjoy the maximum nutritional benefits.

Local produce is often fresher and more vibrant, brimming with essential vitamins and minerals. It's a known fact that fruits and vegetables begin to lose their nutritional value the moment they're harvested. The shorter the distance they travel, the less time there is for nutrient depletion. This means that our students get to enjoy the full spectrum of goodness these foods have to offer.

A Farm to Table meal plan is a strategy the Academy has adopted since the beginning of our meal program. Ensuring students have opportunity to eat meats and vegetables from local food sources is priority for our meal program team. These chickens belong to Pure Pastures!

Organic and Sustainable

In addition to enhanced nutrition, the "Local Foods to Schools" grant empowers us to buy organic produce, a win for both our students' health and the environment. Organic farming practices prioritize soil health and sustainability, avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that can harm the ecosystem. Choosing organic options from local farmers allows us to support sustainable agriculture practices that benefit our planet.

When it comes to meat, sourcing locally offers transparency and traceability. We have the opportunity to understand how animals are raised, what they are fed, and ensure that we are serving high-quality, nutrient-dense meats to our students. This not only contributes to healthier meals but also aligns with our commitment to ethical and sustainable food sourcing.

Supporting Local Communities

One of the most significant aspects of this grant is the ability to develop strong relationships with local farmers. Our partnership with Pure Pastures is just the beginning of a journey that will not only benefit our school but also the surrounding communities. By supporting small, family-owned farms like Pure Pastures, we contribute to the growth and prosperity of local economies. This grant is a catalyst for building a network of trust and collaboration between schools and local producers, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility.

Lunch is a highlight of the day for Academy students. Not only do students receive nutritious meals, they are encouraged to engage in meaningful conversation with their peers. Fellowship over a meal is a value we hope students carry away from their school day and into their homes with their families.

The "Local Foods to Schools" grant is an exciting opportunity for our school nutrition program to make a meaningful impact on our students' health, the environment, and local communities. By prioritizing nutrient-rich, locally sourced foods, we aim to provide our students with top-quality nutrition while supporting sustainable and responsible farming practices.

As we continue to explore our partnership with Pure Pastures and other local farms, we look forward to the growth of this initiative. It's a chance to bring the bounty of our home state right to our students' plates, ensuring they not only receive the best nutrition possible but also develop a deep appreciation for the local food ecosystem. In the years to come, we hope to see more schools embracing similar initiatives, nurturing healthier generations, supporting local economies, and making a positive impact on the environment. The "Local Foods to Schools" grant is more than just a grant; it's a step towards a brighter and more sustainable future for our students and our world.

Academy Students on Mission this Summer

The following excerpt was written by Vice Principal Meg Mathews, who organized the Academy SLAM Nashville Week 2023.

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What a wonderful week we had as a student body of worshiping the Lord together, serving those in need in Nashville and studying His Word! I am so thankful for safe travels and for the Lord meeting us every night in Worship. This year’s theme was "How Much it Cost?" from John 15. I can say the energy that our students bring to worship is unmatched. I love watching our students give their all, even on the first night, without hesitation. 

The Service Projects that we participated in last week were as follows:

1. The Bridge Ministry 

1. THE BRIDGE, INC. exists to alleviate the suffering of underprivileged children, the homeless, and the working poor by providing life-sustaining resources and a message of hope.The Bridge is housed in a 20,000 square foot warehouse in Nashville, TN, that not only stores the food for the Tuesday evening services, but also acts as a local food bank for other area ministries. The Bridge Ministry also aids school children on assisted lunch programs by filling their backpacks with food on Friday afternoons so that they have food to eat over the weekend.  Academy students packaged over 1,000 care packages for the homeless. 

2. Dream Streets

1. Dream Streets is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Their mission is to protect and empower individuals living in distress. They provide supplemental groceries and family-strengthening tools. In addition, they foster positive community relations at our physical locations, mobile ministry sites, and the streets we serve in West and North Nashville. Students got to help distribute food two days this last week.

3. Mother to Mother 

1. Mother to Mother is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 with the sole mission of connecting those in a position to help financially with the case workers and healthcare professionals who see firsthand the enormous needs of struggling mothers and children.

4. Widow & Elderly Care 

1. Students got to help elderly residents in need by doing some much-needed landscaping around their houses, mulching and trimming hedges. 

5. TWO Refugee and Immigrant Kids Camps at the Summit and Overton Apartments

1. Students had the opportunity to get engaged with the next generation! We brought activities to each location, and facilitated kids camps, engaging the children with the gifts that God gave us.

6. Old Hickory Estates

1. Ms. Paula is the manager of the trailer park where Camp Skillz Madison is held each year. The trailer park community center needed some stain put on a new fence, as well as some landscaping around their offices. Students were able to complete this task, helping in this community of need with very limited resources!

7. Madison Church of Christ Garden and Meals on Wheels

1. The Madison Church of Christ Church Garden creates a common growing space for the Madison Church family to work together, practice stewardship, build relationships with each other, and provide a tangible expression of God’s love to their neighbors through providing fresh and healthy foods for the local community. They raise chickens, fish and grow fresh fruits and vegetables without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers in raised garden beds and aquaponic systems, which are then distributed to the local community through their Benevolence Center and Meals-On-Wheels program. In the short time our student group was there, the director reported that they knocked out the equivalent of two weeks of gardening projects!

2. Meals on Wheels: Volunteers prepare and deliver about 35 lunches per day, six days a week, to nearby residents. Most of the people who receive this service live alone, don’t drive, and live on a low income. Students served these recipients, doing everything from washing dishes to organizing and meal preparation.  

8. Dandridge Apartments, Trevecca & Chippington Towers

1. Students cleaned the apartments of the elderly by doing tasks that they no longer can due to their physical age. We are so thankful we can serve those that are in our city’s high rise apartments.

I can truly say that the Lord was with us every step of the way. I really am so thankful for all that transpired amongst our student body, and my prayer is that they will continue to reflect upon what type of friend they are to one another. 

I left the students with some questions to reflect on as they finished out the week: 

1. Are your friendships rooted in the shared value of loving Jesus? How can you evidence this?

2. According to John 15, how can you cultivate a mindset of joyfulness despite whatever circumstances you might be in?

3. How do you think we make God known through our relationships?

4. How can you be a better friend this summer, denying your preferences so you can love your friends like Jesus modeled?

My prayer is that as students go into the rest of their summer, that they will spend their time wisely investing into the things that matter, such as family and friends. May they look to the interest of others and not their own, and spend time with Jesus every day because that is the best time spent.