SNA SmartBrief
Alaska students audit waste, promote composting | Calif. families struggle as SNAP benefits are reduced | Daily lunch program feeds hundreds of Moose Jaw students
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December 10, 2025
 
 
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Alaska students audit waste, promote composting
 
Girl planting seeds for seedlings in small recyclable peat pots, seedling container.Children learn to grow . High quality photo
(Kateryna Mukhina/Getty Images)
Thunder Mountain Middle School has joined a composting initiative, led by the Ocean Guardians club, to reduce food waste. Students conducted a waste audit, sorting hundreds of pounds of food waste for composting instead of landfill disposal.
Full Story: KTOO-TV/FM (Juneau, Alaska) (12/9)
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A Smarter Way to Serve Fruit
Reformulated with less sugarǂ to support school nutrition goals, these pouches deliver the fruit-forward flavor students love — now with even better nutrition. Buy American Compliant. New UPCs.

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School Update
 
Calif. families struggle as SNAP benefits are reduced
Hunger and basic needs insecurity are significantly impacting California students at all levels, data show. Experts note that when families run out of SNAP benefits, children may struggle to focus in school, and their academic performance can suffer.
Full Story: EdSource (12/10)
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Daily lunch program feeds hundreds of Moose Jaw students
Moose Jaw Today (Saskatchewan) (12/9)
 
 
House likely to pass bill restoring whole milk in schools
Wisconsin State Farmer online (12/10)
 
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Nutrition & Wellness
 
Dietitians: Why you should add almonds to your diet
Almonds are a nutritional powerhouse, offering numerous health benefits such as supporting heart health, aiding in weight management and supporting brain function. Registered dietitian nutritionist Lauren Manaker and RD Toby Amidor emphasize almonds' monounsaturated fats, antioxidants and essential nutrients, which contribute to these benefits. While almonds can be consumed in various forms, raw and sprouted almonds are recommended for maximum health impact. "Raw almonds retain the most nutrients, as roasting can slightly reduce their vitamin content. However, roasted almonds are still a nutritious option and often preferred for their flavor," Manaker says.
Full Story: Martha Stewart (12/9)
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Fill Schools with Smiles
Stock the snack that checks all the boxes! Goldfish® is the #1 cracker with kids under 12* and whole grain varieties are Smart Snack compliant (*based on unit sales, HH with kids under 12). Learn More
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Trends & Research
 
Reopening schools in pandemic linked to child mental health
Research reported in the journal Epidemiology, which included almost 200,000 privately insured schoolchildren in California, found that their mental health improved after schools reopened for in-person learning in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The likelihood of a child being seen for mental health conditions dropped 43% nine months after schools reopened.
Full Story: The New York Times (12/8)
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Social media use may affect attention in childhood
A study categorized children's digital habits into social media, gaming, and video watching, examining their effects on ADHD symptoms. It found that only social media use was linked to increased inattentiveness, not gaming or video watching. This distinction suggests that the type of digital activity is crucial in understanding the impact on children's attention, and highlights the need for further investigation into digital habits.
Full Story: The Conversation (12/8)
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Leadership
 
How to adapt and thrive in challenging work environments
 
How to adapt and thrive in challenging work environments
(pixelfit/Getty Images)
As people move up the leadership ladder in an organization, they may encounter cultural challenges such as a negative environment, intense competition or manipulative behaviors, writes advisor Sheila Gujrathi, who suggests strategies like self-care rituals and finding emotional support from trusted peers and colleagues. "Address challenges and conflicts from a place of calm and centeredness," Gujrathi writes.
Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (12/9)
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