Next week, the Ottumwa Community School District will join thousands of schools nationwide to celebrate National School Lunch Week from October 12–16, 2026. This year’s official theme, "Cafeteria Circus: Where Nutrition Takes Center Stage," highlights the vital role healthy school meals play in helping students thrive inside and outside the classroom.
"School lunch is much more than just a break in the day—it is a critical foundation for student academic success," said Yvonne Johnson, Director of Food & Nutrition Services of Ottumwa Community School District. "Our dedicated school nutrition team works tirelessly to serve delicious, balanced meals that meet strict federal safety and health standards. The 'Cafeteria Circus' theme gives us a wonderful opportunity to spotlight these everyday heroes and make healthy eating an exciting adventure for our students."
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves nearly 30 million children every school day across the country. Ottumwa Community Schools serves over 4000 lunches every day to students across the district. Research consistently shows that students who participate in the program consume more milk, fruits, and vegetables than non-participants, while maintaining better overall dietary health.
Founded in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and sponsored annually by the School Nutrition Association (SNA), National School Lunch Week recognizes the immense impact of healthy, reliable school meals on child development and food security.
To learn more about Ottumwa Schools' lunch program and menu options, please visit www.ottumwaschools.com.
