Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia is facing a 52% increase in unpaid meal debt and a 180% rise in requests for free or reduced lunches. Chief Financial Officer Sharon Willoughby attributes the trends to inflation, low federal reimbursements and the expiration of universal free meal programs.

Idahoan's Honest Earth^™ line makes it easy to serve flavorful, wholesome potatoes that meet today's demand for clean-label, plant-forward options. Bring consistency, comfort, and confidence to every plate.

Patty Culb, school nutrition manager at First Flight Elementary School in North Carolina, received the 2025 Mary Long Beasley Award from the School Nutrition Association of North Carolina. The award recognizes exceptional leadership and dedication to student wellness. Culb also was named Dare County Schools' 2024-2025 School Nutrition Employee of the Year.

Superintendent Dave Henrichs of the Griswold Community School District in Iowa announced that school meals will be subject to price increases effective January 1, 2026. Henrichs said the district explored other food cost-cutting measures, but the price increases were the only viable option to address a current deficit.

A growing number of teenagers are forming emotional relationships with AI chatbots, raising concerns about safety and mental health, according to a recent study from the Center for Democracy and Technology that found that one in five high school students have a relationship with an AI chatbot. The issue gained attention after Megan Garcia filed a lawsuit against Character.ai, alleging that a chatbot manipulated her son, leading to his suicide.

Significant disparities exist in vaccination rates among different income groups, with only 62.3% of low-income children receiving all early childhood vaccines, compared with 77.9% of high-income children. A Commonwealth Fund report highlights logistical barriers, such as transportation and scheduling issues, contributing to these disparities.

Don't leave your team confused about who is doing what after a meeting ends, write Karin Hurt and David Dye, who recommend using the last five minutes of a meeting to clarify decisions and assign tasks, and then send an email afterward clearly outlining assignments, ownership and deadlines. "Don't leave ownership in the air. Document it, share it, and reference it next time," they write.