The Fort Worth Independent School District will provide free lunches to children during Thanksgiving break, aiming to address food insecurity while schools are closed. Meals are available for all children 18 and under, regardless of enrollment in the district, and must be eaten on-site at any of the seven participating elementary schools.

Basic American Foods announced its 2026 FAME Award winners, recognizing leaders in K-12 foodservice. Ken Yant of Gwinnett County Public Schools received the Golden Director Award for his innovative initiatives. Kim Kilgore of Cherry Creek School District received the Silver Director Award for her efforts in menu improvement and staff retention, and Amy Faricy of Douglas County School District received the Silver Spirit Award for her event creation and staff engagement. Awardees will be recognized at SNA's School Nutrition Industry Conference in January 2026.

Saucon Valley School District in Pennsylvania has transitioned half of its meals to scratch cooking and aims to increase that percentage to 80% in the next school year. Chef Bill Scepansky of Smart Partners is training school nutrition professionals on scratch cooking techniques and sourcing fresh produce for the district.

The current administration is considering reinstating the food pyramid as a central visual in the upcoming US Dietary Guidelines. While details are still being finalized, sources suggest the new pyramid would emphasize protein and whole foods, but nutritionists express concern over the simplicity of the new guidelines.

A new H3N2 influenza strain could pose a significant challenge to the US health care system, according to international reports. The strain has caused a surge in cases in the UK, particularly among young adults and children, and has acquired several mutations, making it different from the strain included in this year's vaccine. The CDC has yet to provide updated national data because of recent disruptions, but experts recommend vaccination for protection.

Schools in the Kansas City, Mo., area are working to support families affected by the recent federal government shutdown, which caused financial strain due to missed paychecks and disruptions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Kansas City Public Schools has launched the KCPS Cares Fund to provide food and other essentials, and the Lee's Summit School District is promoting its free and reduced-price lunch program.

Join us for SNA’s 2026 School Nutrition Industry Conference (SNIC26), January 11-13, 2026, in Austin, TX—an incredible event where professionals from across the K-12 school foodservice segment come together to build lasting connections, foster collaboration and develop partnerships that drive success. Plus, you can kick-start your SNIC26 learning experience with pre-conference workshops, chef tours and coaching! Save when you lock in the early bird rate—register by December 5.