Solving For Healthy Eating
Healthy eating in schools is evolving. Today’s parents want balanced meals that add and encourage the consumption of fruits, vegetables and protein without subtracting the foods kids love.
For K-12 operators, the challenge is clear: create meals that hit all the right variables participation + satisfaction + health
This infographic shows how operators can embrace positive nutrition by pairing flavor, fun, and familiarity with nutrient-dense options—helping schools boost participation, reduce waste, and keep kid-approved comfort foods on the menu.
Healthy Eating That Adds Up
Positive nutrition in schools isn’t about taking foods away—it’s about multiplying nutrient options, flavors and choices. By embracing this additive approach, operators can increase participation, reduce waste and ensure students enjoy balanced meals that keep them energized and focused.
With student-friendly options like Smucker’s® Uncrustables® sandwiches and creative serving strategies like dips and self-serve stations, foodservice teams can turn the cafeteria into a place where healthy eating is fun, approachable and delicious.
The J.M. Smucker Co. is committed to removing artificial colors from all consumer food products by the end of 2027 and from products sold to schools by the start of the 2026–2027 school year. While the majority of products offered to schools already have no artificial dyes, this initiative will impact our sugar-free fruit spreads and includes eliminating non-compliant caramel color from portion-control syrup offerings. As a reminder, all traditional and natural Smucker’s® fruit spreads and Smucker’s® Natural Breakfast Syrup are already free from artificial dyes.
1 Datassential K-12 Keynote Report, February 2025
2 Foodservice Director, Chartwells K-12's spicy new dip project stirs up school meals, August 2025
3 VCU News, Salad bars in school cafeterias boost students’ dietary quality, new VCU study finds, December 2024
