School lunches will have a whole new look this year as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) updated nutrition standards for school meals. As parents, it can be difficult to navigate what these changes mean and how you can support your kids and your school in making healthy choices. Watch National PTA President Betsy Landers, White House Chef Sam Kass, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and USDA discuss the exciting new meals coming to school cafeterias near you!

Speakers:

• Sam Kass, White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives
• Betsy Landers, National PTA President
• Jessica Donze Black, Director, Kid's Safe and Healthful Foods Project, The Pew Charitable Trusts
• Audrey Rowe, Administrator for the Food and Nutrition Service, USDA

Resources for Parents

• Parent's Guide to the National School Lunch Program
• Healthy Schools Campaign, New Standards
• FAQ from the USDA on School Meals

For more information, visit:

• http://www.healthyschoolfoodsnow.org/
• http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/healthierschoolday

More than 150 PTA members from around the country visited the White House August 10 for a briefing with top-level policy members from the White House and Department of Education. Officials also answered your questions live with Betsy Landers. You can view the video and share it with your state and local PTAs or read excerpts and reprint them in newsletters or on websites.

Champions of Change Ceremony

Also, in a special event after the briefing, the White House honored 12 PTA members as Champions of Change, for their work to improve the lives of children. The Champions of Change program was created by the White House more than a year ago and recognizes ordinary Americans across the country that are doing extraordinary work in their communities. During the last year they have held more than 40 Champions of Change events, honoring more than 500 Champions from all 50 states.

2012 White House PTA Champions of Change

National PTA®—in partnership with the White House and U.S. Department of Education—announced this unprecedented opportunity to recognize extraordinary PTA volunteers in June at its 116th Annual Convention and Exhibition in San Jose, California. For more information, visit the White House Champions of Change website.