Back to school: How to set up your kids for success in 2020

(BPT) - Back to school is always filled with excitement, anticipation — and maybe even a little dread — as summer comes to an end. This year, fall might look a little different. But whether your kids are getting ready to go back to school in person or not, it’s important to make sure they have nutritious meals to power their brains and bodies throughout the day.

To help you set up a healthy routine, Produce for Kids is launching the annual Power Your Lunchbox program.

Here’s how you can use the program to benefit you and your kids:

Lunchbox inspiration

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with weekday meals. From breakfast to dinner and all the snacks in between, Power Your Lunchbox has tasty and nutritious ideas and recipes to keep your kids on their toes. Plus, you can get helpful tips for easy, on-the-go foods when you’re in a time crunch — like Chickpea Salad Stuffed Mini Peppers and Southwest Quiche Muffins.

Live cooking demonstrations

Check Instagram and Facebook for regular live cooking sessions the whole family will enjoy. And on Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. ET, join the #PowerYourLunchbox Twitter party to get answers to all your back-to-school questions around fueling kids’ minds, staying organized, distance learning and meal prep.

Distance learning resources

Power Your Lunchbox not only spotlights kid-friendly and registered-dietitian-approved lunch ideas, they also feature valuable tips and content to help families navigate a fresh school year and new or unfamiliar ways of learning.

Health resources

Keeping immune systems in top shape and maintaining mental health will be top of mind this school year as families navigate various ways of learning. The Power Your Lunchbox program offers the multi-purpose resources parents and kids need to stay healthy, feel great and focus on education.

Fresh food donations

This year, the Power Your Lunchbox program is working with several produce brands to help increase access to fresh produce for children and families. These brands are making a $14,000 donation to the United Fresh Start Foundation to increase access to fresh produce in schools. The program has already raised over $150,000 to benefit charities that support families around the country.

No matter where your kids are for back to school, these resources will help you keep them healthy, properly fueled and engaged. For more information, visit poweryourlunchbox.com.