State Schools Chief Torlakson Applauds Push for Healthy Lunch Record
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today issued the following statement in support ofCalifornia Ag Day 2013 , where the California Department of Food and Agriculture is attempting to serve a record 750 healthy school lunches from the world's largest lunch tray to students at the State Capitol.
"California's farmers and the healthy food they produce are essential parts of our work to be sure our students get healthy food at school," said Torlakson. "Nutritious meals feed the body and the brain—and what better way to showcase the work of our agriculture than with healthy school lunches?"
Torlakson urges all students to be physically active, eat nutritious food, and drink plenty of water as part of his Team California for Healthy Kids initiative. Research shows a clear connection between health, learning, and attendance. Healthy children are more successful academically, miss fewer days of school, are more attentive and well-behaved, and are more likely to graduate from high school and go to college.
California has numerous breakfast, snack, lunch, and other food programs to help low-income children get nutritious meals. For more information, please visit the California Department of Education's Nutrition Web page.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100