Nourishing Change
Celebrating Two Years of the Healthy Meals Incentives Grant
Supporting Healthy Meals
Research shows that consistent access to nutritious meals (particularly healthy breakfasts) is beneficial for memory, attention, and academic performance, especially among children and adolescents. And as the Board and Superintendent at Woodbury City Public Schools (WCPS) heard more student feedback about meals missing the mark, it confirmed that a fresh approach would go a long way.
Over the past two years, we’ve had the privilege of supporting WCPS in writing and managing their USDA-sponsored Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) grant, a districtwide initiative focused on improving meal quality, expanding access to locally grown foods, and bringing nutrition education into classrooms.
Our Approach
From day one, our shared goal was to improve nutritional quality of school meals while getting students excited about nutrition and healthy food. We supported the district in developing a clear vision and project plan– connecting food service improvements and student nutrition education.
Together, we:
Increased breakfast participation by 16% and lunch participation in 13.5% across the district.
Increased access and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by purchasing salad bar lines in every school and launching a smoothie program with taste tests to engage students.
Expanded nutrition education through a SNAP-Ed reading program, hosted magic shows promoting healthier eating, and began student-led hydroponic gardens growing lettuce for the school salad bars.
Supported the district in earning Sustainable Jersey for Schools Bronze Certification across all schools, and along the way, helped Woodbury celebrate big wins like the HMI Breakfast Trailblazer Award and recognition from The Common Market for significantly increasing local food purchasing.
How We Deliver
Throughout the two-year grant period, we served as the district’s grant management partner, ensuring that every dollar supported meaningful change. Our work included:
Coordinating with the USDA and state agencies to ensure full compliance and reporting,
Managing budgets and purchasing processes to align with federal requirements,
Tracking progress through data and visuals to highlight the impact of each investment, and
Helping the district plan for long-term sustainability beyond the grant cycle by building on momentum around high-quality meals and exploring new ideas that support positive outcomes for students.
The Impact
Today, students across Woodbury City Public Schools enjoy more nutritious, fresh, and appealing meals each day. Staff are equipped with the tools and training to prepare healthy food efficiently, and classrooms are buzzing with lessons about gardening, food systems, and healthy choices. The HMI grant helped build a culture of wellness and sustainability that will continue to grow across the district and has opened the door for future opportunities to keep nutrition education and high-quality food services at the forefront.
Looking to strengthen nutrition, access, and student engagement in your district? We’d love to help.
