School Nutrition Episodes

1072: From Rural Dollars to Dinner Plates: Turning Big Federal Policy Into Real Health Gains
Feb. 19, 2026

1072: From Rural Dollars to Dinner Plates: Turning Big Federal Policy Into Real Health Gains

Major federal investments and national guidance can shape the future of public health, but only if states can turn policy into practice. This episode looks at two sweeping developments and the on-the-groundwork required to make them matter. First, Chris Salyers, director of programs and evaluation …
1068: Health Beyond Healthcare: How States Are Advancing Smart Policies in Tough Times
Feb. 12, 2026

1068: Health Beyond Healthcare: How States Are Advancing Smart Policies in Tough Times

What do school meals, housing, paid leave, and pre-K have to do with public health? According to Trust for America’s Health: everything. In this episode, Breanca Merritt, director of policy at Trust for America’s Health, breaks down a new report titled 'Promoting Health and Cost Control in States (…
958: Public Health & Politics, Community Connections Through Storytelling
July 30, 2025

958: Public Health & Politics, Community Connections Through Storytelling

Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, epidemiologist and CEO of Your Local Epidemiologist, addresses the intersection between health and politics and provides words of encouragement to her fellow colleagues in public health; Grace Lee, senior analyst for infectious disease infrastructure and policy at ASTHO...
Ep 904: Childhood Obesity Report, States Act on Food Dyes
May 12, 2025

Ep 904: Childhood Obesity Report, States Act on Food Dyes

Rita Condon, program manager for obesity, nutrition, and physical activity with the New Mexico Department of Health, discusses the agency’s annual Childhood Obesity Update and the new initiatives in place to promote healthy eating; Andy Baker-White, senior director for state health policy...
482: Back-to-School Water Dollars, Youth Mental Health Partnerships
Aug. 15, 2023

482: Back-to-School Water Dollars, Youth Mental Health Partnerships

Wendi Wilkes, Senior Advisor at the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water, explains lead testing program that allows schools and child care agencies to remove the threat of lead; Heather Sebero, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Social and...
389: Seeking School Lunch Comments, Debt Ceiling Discussions
March 31, 2023

389: Seeking School Lunch Comments, Debt Ceiling Discussions

Shannon Vance, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst, Family and Child Health, encourages ASTHO members to comment on the USDA's proposed standards for school lunch and breakfast programs; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, outlines...
384: New School Lunch Guidelines, ASTHO Testifies Before Congress
March 24, 2023

384: New School Lunch Guidelines, ASTHO Testifies Before Congress

Cindy Long, Administrator of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, says a new set of proposed school lunch guidelines are an important step to putting kids on a path to healthy lifestyles; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs,...