Team Nutrition

What is Team Nutrition?

Team Nutrition is an initiative of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to support the Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for food service, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity. Team Nutrition is an integrated, behavior-based, comprehensive plan for promoting the nutritional health of the Nation’s school children.  This plan involves schools, parents, and the community in efforts to continuously improve school meals and to promote the health and education of school children. Team Nutrition encourages kids to make the following healthy choices:

  • Eat a variety of foods
  • Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
  • Eat lower fat foods more often
  • Get your calcium-rich foods
  • Be physically active

Team Nutrition has three behavior-focused strategies:

  • Provide training and technical assistance to Child Nutrition food service professionals to enable them to prepare and serve nutritious meals that appeal to students.
  • Promote nutrition curriculum and education in schools through multiple communication channels to reinforce positive nutrition messages and encourage students to make healthy food and physical activity choices as part of a healthy lifestyle.
  • Build school and community support for creating healthy school environments that are conducive to healthy eating and physical activity.

 

Nebraska Department of Education logo accompanied by Nebraska Team Nutrition branding stickers that read "I am nourished & knowing", "I am mindful & healthful", "I am smart & charged", and "Fuel up to power your day".

Team Nutrition: Mini-Grant Awardees

Congratulations to all the following districts/schools on receiving a $2,000 mini grant, funded through a USDA Team Nutrition grant. Each school will work to increase nutrition knowledge among students in PreK-12th grade, support school wellness efforts, encourage participation in the USDA School Meals Programs (including the Afterschool Snack Program), and/or promote healthy eating and nutrition messaging.

  • Bertrand Community School
  • Bishop Neumann High School
  • Brady Public Schools
  • Centennial Public Schools
  • Dorchester Public Schools
  • Morrill Public Schools – Morrill High School
  • North Bend Central Public Schools
  • Ogallala Public School District – Prairie View Elementary
  • Plainview Public Schools – Plainview Elementary School
  • Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School
  • Scottsbluff Public Schools – Roosevelt Elementary School
  • Scribner-Snyder Community Schools
  • Sutton Public Schools
  • Tri County Public Schools – Tri County Jr./Sr. High
  • Twin River Public Schools
  • Walthill Public School
  • Arnold Public Schools
  • Dundy County Stratton Schools – Benkelman Elementary School
  • Dundy County Stratton Schools – Dundy County High School
  • Kenesaw Public Schools
  • Leigh Community Schools – Leigh High School
  • St. Peter Catholic School (Lincoln)
  • St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School (Seward)
  • Superior Public School
  • Tri County Public Schools – Tri County Elementary

Team Nutrition Projects:

Office of Coordinated Student Support Services

Lauren Christensen, Child Nutrition & Wellness Specialist

lauren.christensen@nebraska.gov

402-580-2210

NDE is aware of the recent release of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). We are currently awaiting additional guidance from USDA regarding the transition timeline for updating resources that include the MyPlate logo, key messages, and/or references to MyPlate tip sheets. NDE will revise materials as needed once that guidance is available; however, we anticipate that most updates will occur after the end of SY 2025–26. In the meantime, we encourage continued use of existing resources and recipes, which support overall healthy eating patterns.

Updated April 22, 2026 4:40pm