Nahua-Plainfield is One of 125 Schools Receiving Power Snacks in the Next Week
posted on Monday, November 18, 2019
With Thanksgiving break right around the corner, our team is rushing to get more than 90,000 Power Snacks delivered to 125 schools across Iowa. Nahua-Plainfield is one of the many schools planning on distributing coupons next week.
“Knowing that our students will have access to healthy food while school is not in session is a big relief,” said Calista Hagan, Counselor at Nashua-Plainfield Elementary. “When students are hungry, they can be lethargic, sad, unable to focus and anxious. Those symptoms only get worse over prolonged periods of time, like holiday breaks.”
Power Snack, a program of Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, provides food-insecure kids access to nutritious food, specifically deli ham, and whole wheat bread, at home.
Like many schools, Nashua-Plainfield distributes the coupons to students on free or reduced lunch and also on an as-needed basis.
“Protein is essential for brain development,” continued Calista. “Students who are hungry often struggle more with focus and attention to tasks. When we keep the fed, we keep them focused on learning.”
New this year, pork sticks are also being delivered to schools to help in emergency hunger situations.
“Working closely with educators is helpful because it helps us identify needs that are not being met,” said Allyson Ladd, Communications Specialist at Iowa Select Farms. “Last year we heard from teachers who were digging into their own pockets to buy snacks for their students, many of whom come to school without breakfast or maybe even dinner the night before. Pork sticks are an easy, protein-packed snack that will help curb hunger for students in need.”
Now in its seventh year, Power Snack supports 22,751 students statewide. 152 students at Nashua Plainfield Elementary will receive the coupons.
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