Although we have made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information on the sites we link to, the Illinois NET Program does not assume responsibility for the information obtained beyond this point. No endorsement of products, organizations or information provided from any link is implied or should be inferred.


Links For Food Service Staff . . . . . . . . .

NEW! Add a Little Spice to Your Life Handout that explains how to use spices and herbs to reduce the amount of sugar and/or salt in recipes
Bridges to Wellness: Connecting School Meals and Classroom Learning New nutrition education program incorporates cafeteria connections into classroom-based interactive nutrition education lessons for students in grades 5-10

Child Care Providers Recipes and Menu Planning

Provides recipes, resources and information on preparing nutritious meals and food safety for those participating in USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Clip-Art Guide - Food

Index of food and beverage clip art on the Internet

NEW! Cook for Kids Satellite Training, NFSMI A free series of satellite training programs with downloadable resources from the National Food Service Management Institute. Each program is available online after the broadcast.

Commodity Fact Sheets & Recipes

 
Cornell Nutrition Works Source of low-cost interactive, web-based continuing professional education program for nutrition and health practitioners. Includes a training series from New York Action for Healthy Kids.
Culinary Techniques: Cooking with Flair, NFSMI Online instruction for planning/preparing healthful school meals

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Advice on food choices for health

Eat Smart. Play Hard.TM

Source of classroom activities and free nutrition education and physical activity materials for students

Feeding Young Children in Group Settings

Course for childcare staff and handouts on the topic that is available in the NET Loan Library.

Food Clip art

Clip art and pictures of food and nutrition related graphics

Fruits & Vegetables Galore: Helping Kids Eat More, USDA Downloadable tool for school foodservice professionals packed with tips on planning, purchasing, protecting, preparing, presenting and promoting fruits and vegetables.
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Provides a number of free food-allergy information programs for elementary, intermediate, and high schools and school guidelines for managing students with food allergies
Food Allergies: What You Need to Know Key information on food allergies and labeling

Food, Nutrition and Health Days

A complete list of nationally recognized health days

Food Quality Assurance - Commercial Item Descriptions

Useful for writing bid specifications

Food Resource

All kinds of information about food from Oregon State University, including pictures and graphics

Food Service Management Resource List, FNIC January 2007 list of resources for school foodservice managers
Fruits and Vegetables Galore: Helping Kids Eat More Comprehensive guide for school foodservice professionals
Guidelines for Healthy Foods and Beverages at Meetings, Gatherings and Events, Eat Smart North Carolina Manual for individuals in charge of planning food-related events. Contains guidelines on offering more healthful food and beverage options at any type of even.
Healthy Cuisine for Kids, NFSMI Downloadable course helps child nutrition professionals develop culinary skills needed to prepare and serve healthy and appealing meals

Healthy Kids Challenge

School food and fitness education project you can sign up for

Healthy Meals Resource System

Searchable index for those working in USDA Child Care and School programs

NEW! Healthy Snack Program for Your After School Program, CANFit

Guide for Your After School Programs with 26 menus, two-week sample cycle menus, funding options and Best Practice Guidelines.  The guide makes it easier for after school programs to provide healthier snacks for the youth they serve. 

High Fructose Corn Syrup and Obesity University of Maryland Center for Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy study on the current lack of research for a link between high fructose corn syrup and weight

HMR Training Materials

Database of materials for staff training

Illinois School Nutrition Association

Membership and professional development information

Index of Food and Nutrition Internet Resources

Comprehensive index of Internet food and nutrition sites from USDA's Food and Nutrition Information Center

Jazzy Food & Nutrition Bulletin Board Ideas

Thirty-six nutrition-themed bulletin boards with supporting activities

Media Smart Youth: Eat, Think and Be Active A new after school program designed to help children 11-13 become aware of how media may influence the choices they make.
Meal Planning and Preparation Resource List, FNIC January 2007 list of resources for school foodservice staff
NEW! Menus for Child Care, NFSMI Menus for Child Care offers 8 complete weekly menus, including breakfast, lunch or supper, and snack meeting the CACFP Meal Pattern requirements for 3-5 year olds. These healthful and appealing menus can be used as cycle menus offering variety and moderation for balanced nutrition in the child care setting. The menus include nutrient analysis and crediting information.

Milk Matters Campaign

Campaign which promotes milk with logos, a parent brochure and more

Kellogg's NuCrew

Contains resources and grant opportunities to assist schools in making the transition to nutrient-based menu planning.

Kid's Nutrition Fact Sheets

Practical, reliable information from the American Dietetic Association on kid's nutrition needs

Mealtime Memo for Child Care, NFSMI Newsletter that reinforces the importance of the Food Guide Pyramid and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Spanish and English versions available.
NEW! Montana CACFP Toolkit - Making It Balance and Kickin' It Up This toolkit was designed for participants of the Montana Child and Adult Care Food Program; although the information is helpful to any childcare provider. The menus (5 weeks of breakfast, lunch and one snack), with accompanying recipes and resources, are provided to assist childcare providers in serving healthy meals which are cost effective, easy to prepare, and appealing to children.

MyPyramid

Guide to daily food choices

National Food Service Management Institute

Provides information and services that promote improvement of Child Nutrition Programs

Nutrition Explorations

Browse this site for marketing ideas, activities for connecting with the classroom, tools for expanding your program, and nutrition information

Recommendations from the Institute of Medicine on nutrition standards for the availability, sale, content, and consumption of foods and beverages at school

Power Plans, Eat Smart, Play Hard

Eat Smart. Play Hard. ™ Power Plans are interactive, behavior-focused lessons. These plans were tested in a variety of FNS Program settings and are ready-to-go, flexible, and easy to use. Just read the entire lesson, gather the materials, and go! Perfect for foodservice staff involved in classroom presentations.
Rules Part 305 - School Food Service Website to assist Illinois school staff in implementing Part 305 of the Illinois Administrative Code
Sample Elementary School Cycle Menus, KDE Sample cycle menus that meet the Silver criteria for the HealthierUS School Challenge from the Kentucky Department of Education
NEW! Sample CACFP Menus to Meet 2005 Dietary Guidelines Three week sample menus from the Iowa Department of Education

Special Needs Resources, FNIC

Links to resources on feeding students with special needs

Special Needs Fact Sheets, NFSMI Fact sheets for child nutrition professionals on diabetes, lactose, swallowing and allergies
Recipes for Child Care Recipes from Childcare Recipes: Food for Health and Fun
Rethinking School Lunch Guide Provides key information on how you can replace prepackaged food with fresh, locally grown, seasonably available foods from smaller family farmers. Includes LiFE (Linking Food and the Environment) lessons, the RSL Financial Calculator, and a farm-to-school guide including five successful models for procurement systems.
Seven Generations Ahead Source of information on establishing farm to school programs

School Nutrition Association

Professional development information, recipes and information for parents and teachers

Super Star Nutrition for Kids Training for CACFP child care staff that promotes serving more vegetables, fruits and whole grain foods at snacks and mealtime; providing effective nutrition education and physical activities and serving meals consistent with federal regulations
USDA Approved Nutrient Analysis Software List of approved nutrient analysis software to analyze menus or implement Nutrient Standard Menu Planning
USDA/ARS USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Searchable database with nutritional content of food
USDA Recipes for Schools Updated USDA recipes for schools

USDA's Team Nutrition

Implementation tool for USDA's School Meals Initiative for healthy children

24 Carrot Press

Fun tips for getting kids to eat right


Links for Teachers . . . . . . . . .

Agriculture is Fun

This site contains student activity sheets for fat and salt as well as lessons and resources on food

Baking Labs for Secondary FCS Classes Power Points and baking labs on the benefits of learning to bake, grains and health and whole grains
Build on a Healthy Base

Downloadable Power Point presentation and resources for nutrition educators that simplify the complex graphics of the new MyPyramid. Includes activities and MyPyramid handouts in English Spanish and Russian.

Blank MyPyramid These grade 5-6 MyPyramid for Kids lessons contain a MyPyramid Worksheet
Bodywalk, IL NET Program The Body Walk is a service learning project that allows teens to design a Body Walk event in their community to teach K-5 students. The guidebook, complete with plans and coordination lessons and scripts is an easy step-by-step guide. Participants are assigned as food items and travel through a body exhibit with stations for the brain, mouth, stomach, small intestines, heart, lungs, bones, muscles and skin. Students learn about the function of the various parts of the body with an emphasis on choosing good food and being physically active.
Hot Link CATCH This K-8 evidence-based program for contains classroom lessons along with a cafeteria, physical education and after school component. Available in the Nutrition Education Loan Library or for purchase from Flaghouse
NEW! Children's Literature with Positive Health Messages, IL NET Bibliography of children's storybooks that promote Dietary Guidelines concepts

CDC's Adolescent and School Health

Guidelines and resources for school health programs

Cold Pizza for Breakfast Downloadable food safety tips for teens and tweens. Includes an interactive review at the end: Keep or Toss!

Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children

This Chicago web-site will help you locate a speaker, grant funds or community links on obesity prevention

Hot Link Cornell Nutrition Works Source of low-cost interactive, web-based continuing professional education program for nutrition and health practitioners. Includes a training series from New York Action for Healthy Kids.

Dairy Council of CA - Educators

Lessons from Dairy Council of California

Hot Link Eat Well, Keep Moving, 2007 Gr. 4-6 evidence-based, interdisciplinary nutrition and physical activity curriculum with classroom lessons for 4th and 5th, PE lessons and promotions - available in the Nutrition Education Loan Library or for purchase from www.humankinetics.com

Hot Link Eat Smart. Play Hard. TM

Source of classroom activities and free nutrition education and physical activity materials for students
Education and Training Materials Database, USDA Team Nutrition Searchable database of educational materials developed by universities, private industry, and local, State and Federal government agencies for school personnel
Hot Link Empowering Youth with Nutrition and Physical Activity, USDA Downloadable program for after school and classrooms for 11 to 18-year-olds, May 2007
Exercise Your Options Gr 6-8 evidence-based curriculum that allows students to assess their own diet and plan for improvement - available in the Nutrition Education Loan Library or for purchase

Fast Food Facts

Interactive tool for comparing nutritional value of fast foods

Five-A-Day

Lessons for grades 3-4 from Dole

"Food"-Ball

Power Point that takes audience through 4 quarters of football -complete with touchdowns, fumbles, flags on the play to introduce basic concepts of MyPyramid

Food Fun for Kids

Lessons for grades 4-6 from National Pork Producers Council

Food, Nutrition and Fitness Publications Ordering information for MyActivity Pyramid handouts, posters and MyActivity logs for students
FoodPlay Productions Source of child nutrition school assembly programs, workshops or day long events focused on health $$$

Food Safety Coloring Book

Teaches food safety at home, school and when eating out

Food Science Experiments and Learning Opportunities for all Ages, PSU This website contains learning activities and resources for all ages
Hot Link FUEL Gr. 5-12 video series that help get youth fired up about advocating for healthy lifestyle choices - available in Nutrition Education Loan Library
Generation Fit Gr. 6-12 teen advocacy health program that encourages adolescents to promote physical activity and healthier eating in the community - available in Nutrition Education Loan Library
Got Dirt? Garden Toolkit Downloadable toolkit which is a step-by-step plans for initiating a garden program in schools or child care centers

The Great Plant Escape

Interactive lessons for grades 4-5 on plants, including the food connection

Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating, CDC This document identifies strategies most likely to be effective in helping young people adopt and maintain healthy eating
Guidelines for School and Community Programs to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity Among Young People, CDC This document identifies strategies most likely to be effective in helping young people adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle

Health Literacy Resources for Teachers - FNIC

March 2007 list of sources easy-to-read nutrition materials

Healthy Choices for Kids

Preschool - grade 5 lessons

Healthy Kids Challenge Resources to promote healthy eating and physical activity in the classroom, cafeteria, home and community.

Hitting for Home Plate

Power Point that takes audience through 9 innings of baseball-complete with strikes and home runs to teach about naturally nutrient-dense foods

Hot Links for Teachers. . . Cool Sites for Kids

Great ag-related sites for you and your students

The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective Web-based video game designed to teach children ages 9 to 10 about eating healthy foods and being more physically active. Available in English and Spanish. Children follow the routines of eight culturally diverse characters whose health would benefit from healthy food and increased physical activity. Free

Index of Food and Nutrition Internet Resources

Comprehensive list of Internet links on food and nutrition.

Jazzy Food & Nutrition Bulletin Board Ideas

Ideas for nutrition bulletin boards
Kids-a-Cookin Contains nutritious, easy recipes great for after school programs and locations with limited resources - Spanish or English
Hot Link KidsGardening.org Resources for school and youth gardens
Learning Seed Source of DVDs, videos, posters and kits on food and nutrition
Learning Zone Express Over 100 video titles, 300 posters and numerous nutrition education materials can be ordered from this website
Lucy's Tasty Treasures TV series with an innovative blend of entertainment and education to help elementary students develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and behavior needed for healthier lifestyles. Includes video segments, games, recipes, podcasts and a blog for students
Midwest Dairy Association Includes information on nutrition education, dairy vending, school meals, healthy school environments and more.
Milk Matters, NIH Middle school/high school lessons, fact sheets, take home assignments and classroom discussions on the importance of calcium to bone health

Hot Link Media Smart Youth

Fun, hands-on program for young people ages 11 to 13 that will help them to become aware of how media may influence decisions about what they eat and how they spend their time. Consists of 10 lessons and a major project that help young people acquire knowledge and skills.

Model Programs for Nutrition and Physical Activity, General Mills A list of model programs on for youth nutrition and fitness.
More Matters Resource Manual Contains preschool, elementary, teen and adult lessons and activity sheet to help increase fruit and vegetable consumption
MyPyramid e-Catalog, SNE Catalog designed to help nutrition educators find and use nutrition education tools/curriculums that incorporate substantive content from MyPyramid and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Hot Link MyPyramid for Kids Classroom Materials Downloadable MyPyramid Lessons for grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6.
MyPyramid Tracker An online dietary and physical activity assessment tool that provides information on your diet quality, physical activity status, related nutrition messages, and links to nutrient and physical activity information. The Food Calories/Energy Balance feature automatically calculates your energy balance by subtracting the energy you expend from physical activity from your food calories/energy intake.
Nasco Nutrition Teaching Aids Source of nutrition and health education materials
National Gardening Association Information for teachers on health-focused youth gardens
NCES Source of nutrition and health education materials
Neat Solutions Source of nutrition and health education materials

Hot Link Nutrient Analysis Tool & Energy Calculator

Analyze the food you eat for various nutrients or calculate energy expended

Nutriteach

Nutrition & food safety resources for elementary and secondary teachers

Nutrition Book Hunt

Scavenger hunt involving food and children's literature

Nutrition Central

Resources for food and nutrition education

Nutrition Explorations

Menus, Think Your Drink Master, Nutrition Calendar and Pyramid Cafe Relay Food Cards

Nutrition.gov

All the latest information about nutrition can be found here. A great student resource site.

Nutrition, Learning and Behavior in Children, FNIC January 2007 list of resources to help professionals find information on this key topic
Hot Link Nutrition Essentials, USDA Downloadable lessons for middle and high school to help students make healthful nutrition and physical activity choices, April 2007
Nutrition Pathfinders Gr. 3-5 evaluated program which reinforces language arts and math while teaching health - available in Nutrition Education Loan Library or for purchase
Hot Link The Organwise Guys!

Time-tested and evaluated educational materials that have proven effective in helping students understand the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices and motivating them to make these changes in their own lives - some components available in Nutrition Education Loan Library or can be purchased

PBS Health and Fitness Lessons Searchable database of health and fitness lessons for preschool and every grade level
PE4Life! Source of training on planning quality PE programs
Hot Link Planet Health, 2007 Gr. 6-8 interdisciplinary, evidence-based curriculum with science, math, language arts, social studies and PE lessons that promotes healthy eating and physical activity - available in the Nutrition Education Loan Library or for purchase from www.humankinetics.com
Professional and Career Resources: Nutrition Education, USDA National Agriculture Library Searchable database of nutrition education materials
Pyramid Plus Gr. 6-12 curriculum focusing on nutrient density. Contains modules for sports nutrition, weight and eating for convenience. Available in the Nutrition Education Loan Library or for purchase
The Power of Choice Downloadable Gr. 6-8 after-school curriculum focusing on lifetime healthful eating and activity

Read It!

This school milk program educationally reaches out to children, and encourages learning and health through milk consumption while offering stimulating activities consistent with educational goals including lesson plans and reading and classroom activity ideas.

ReCharge Gr. 3-6 year-long program addressing "energy in" (nutrition) and "energy out" (physical activity)-Available in the Nutrition Education Loan Library or for purchase

Responsible Healthy Lifestyles

Kindergarten - grade 6 nutrition lessons

The RMC Health Educator Free national newsletter published three times a year featuring practical strategies and best practices in health education
School Gardens plus Nutrition Lessons Equal Science Literacy Article from the National Science Teachers Association on effectiveness of garden-based learning to promote student wellness and science literacy
Space Food and Nutrition Educator Guide, NASA K-8 activities in this NASA educator guide for grades emphasize hands-on and cooperative involvement of students as they explore the unique problems of keeping astronauts happy and healthy in space
Spanish Nutrition Education Resources Information about USDA outreach initiatives and nutrition education resources
SPARK This PreK-12 program teaches students how to make goals for physical activity and healthy food choices - available in the Nutrition Education Loan Library or for purchase
NEW! Spending Your Calorie Salary PowerPoint presentation and handouts for teens and tweens that covers MyPyramid, healthy food choices and portion distortion.
   

Steroids: Play Safe, Play Fair

Important information about the rising use of steroids by teen athletes

Teach Free

Free teaching kits and student masters for PreK-12

Teens Act Out: Playing the Policy Game Advocacy program that assists teenagers in developing leadership skills, how to eat healthier and be more physically active.
Test Your Nutrition Intuition Online video nutrition quiz for teens and adults
Team Up at Home:Team Nutrition Activity Book Downloadable handbook of nutrition activities for parents to use with school-age kids, May 2007
Think Your Drink Reproducible handout comparing the nutritional value of different beverages
TV Turn Off Week Information on TV Turn Off Week

USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

Contains an interactive online dietary assessment tool plus information on the Food Guide Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines

USDA's Team Nutrition

Classroom nutrition education curriculum and activities

Verizon Thinkfinity

Type in "nutrition" and select your grade level to get an age-appropriate list of possible lessons

Walk to School International Walk to School event with free registration and downloadable resources
WAY Multidisciplinary health education program that has been tested for success. The program is being updated to reflect current dietary guidance - available for purchase
Wellness in Wyoming: Projects and Resources Numerous lessons and resources that focus on health, not weight - suitable for teens, school staff and parents
yourSELF Downloadable Gr. 6-8 health curriculum for health, home economics or family living classes

General Child Nutrition Resources . . . . . . . . .

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Advice on food choices for health

Food and Nutrition Information Center, USDA Provides credible, accurate, and practical resources for nutrition and health professionals, educators and consumers.

MyPyramid

Guide to daily food choices

Nutrition.gov

Your guide to nutrition and health Information on government web-site

Soy Ohio - Ohio Soybean Council

This site contains information on how soy foods fit into the Food Guide Pyramid and recipes

The Vegetarian Resource Network

News, recipe, links and balanced nutrition information for those interested interested in a vegetarian lifestyle

24 Carrot Press

Fun tips for getting kids to eat right


Links for Parents . . . . . . . . .

24 Carrot Press

Fun tips for getting kids to eat right

Children with Diabetes

Online community for kids, families and adults with diabetes

Consumer Corner

USDA's source for reliable food and nutrition information

Eat Smart, Play Hard Healthy Lifestyle

Provides information for parents and care providers to help you eat better, be more physically active and be a role model for your kids
Healthy Dining Website New database that lists menu choices at various restaurants that fit healthy lifestyles
Health and Wellness, PTA Contains a downloadable Healthy Lifestyles Parents Guide, a list of healthy fundraisers for PTA and ideas for ways parents can support student wellness among other resources

How to Feed a Future Super Star

Nutrition advice for kids in sports

Kidnetic

Provides kids and families with ideas and tools to help them develop healthful habits

Kids' Kitchen Guide and cookbook for kids and parents to use together.

Kid's Nutrition Needs

Practical and reliable information about kid's nutrition needs

Kidsnutrition.org Nutrition news from the USDA Children's Nutrition Research Center that you can use to improve child health. Click on education and training

Making the Family Connection

Fun activities you can do with your child to help shape good eating habits

Mayor's Fitness Council

This Chicago web-site is a great place to find information to help you and your commitment to a healthy lifestyle and to improve your dedication to fitness.

Milk Matters

Learn why milk is important to your child's health

Mom2Mom: Fruit and Veggies - More Matters Snack strategies and tasty tips for Moms

Nutrition & Fitness

Learn how to keep your child healthy with the right foods and exercise

Parents: Join Your School Wellness Team Brochure that encourages parents to be active participants in school wellness
Real Life Guide for Parents: Helping Your Kids Eat Right and Be Active This guide from Kidnetic.com is packed with fun, easy—and even time-saving—ideas and tips that can help you lead your kids down the path to a lifetime of healthful habits.
Spatulatta: Cooking 4 Kids Online Award winning website which teaches cooking skills to kids.

Steroids: Play Safe, Play Fair

Important information for parents on steroid use by teen athletes

Team Up at Home:Team Nutrition Activity Book Downloadable handbook of nutrition activities for parents to use with school-age kids, May 2007

Tiny Tummies

Food and nutrition newsletter for parents

Your Child's Weight

PDF document that offers parents suggestions on how to deal with weight issues as a family

Your Personal Path to Health Contains practical tips for parents or school or childcare staff on how to bring the recommendations of MyPyramid into their everyday lives

We Can!

National program designed for families and communities to help children maintain a healthy weight. Numerous resources for parents, children and community organizations