247: Did you know public schools serve more meals than any restaurant chain in America? And yet, many of those meals come from fast food giants instead of farms. This week, I’m joined by the CEO of Real Certified—a company on a mission to change that. Through their initiative Eat Real, they’re working with school districts to replace ultra-processed cafeteria food with fresh, locally-sourced meals that kids actually enjoy.

In this episode, you’ll learn how Real Certified is empowering parents, partnering with real farmers, and making it easier than ever for schools to serve real, nutritious food. If you’ve ever looked at your child’s lunch tray and thought, “There has to be a better way,” this conversation is your answer.

Topics Discussed:

How can parents help improve school lunches in public schools?
What is the Eat Real program and how does it work in school cafeterias?
Why are ultra-processed foods still being served in American school lunches?
What are the health impacts of poor nutrition in school-aged children?
How can schools transition from processed food to real, locally-sourced meals?

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:05:08 – The Eat Real Mission Explained
00:09:47 – Problems with U.S. School Lunches
00:13:10 – Kids’ Health: Behavior & Fatty Liver
00:22:16 – How Schools Source Better Food
00:26:41 – Reforming School Lunch Programs
00:32:45 – District-Level Support for School Meals
00:38:06 – Teaching Kids About Healthy Eating
00:40:25 – Why We Need to Rethink Nutrition
00:44:07 – Real Food Transforming Schools
00:48:41 – School Food Funding Challenges
00:50:44 – Scaling the Eat Real Program
00:51:45 – Prison Food & Public Health Costs
00:56:02 – Fast Results from Nutrition Changes
00:59:35 – Courtney Swan’s Healthy Restaurant Picks
01:00:01 – How Parents Can Get Involved
01:02:25 – California Bill AB1264
01:06:43 – Final Thoughts: Helping Kids Thrive

Sponsored By:

LMNT | Get your free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase at drinklmnt.com/realfoodology
Our Place | Use code REALFOODOLOGY for 10% off at fromourplace.com
Timeline | Go to timelinenutrition.com/REALFOODOLOGY and use code REALFOODOLOGY for 10% off
Paleovalley | Save at 15% at paleovalley.com/realfoodology and use code REALFOODOLOGY
MANUKORA | Go to Manukora.com/REALFOODOLOGY to get $25 off the Starter Kit, which comes with an MGO 850+ Manuka Honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook!
Cozy Earth | Go to cozyearth.com and Use code REALFOODOLOGY for 40% off best-selling sheets, pajamas, and more. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Check Out Eat Real:

Website
Instagram
Facebook
Nora’s instagram

Check Out Courtney

Produced By: Drake Peterson

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - Sterling Dixon