Start Strong This School Year with Food That Fuels

As the school year begins, families across Connecticut are adjusting to new routines, including planning lunches that are healthy, affordable, and easy to prepare. While social media may be full of creative lunchbox ideas, the reality for many families is that consistently accessing nutritious food takes more than just planning—it requires support.

That’s why Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health continues to advance programs like Start Childhood Off Right (SCOR), which focuses on improving food access and promoting healthier eating habits among families across our state.

About the SCOR Program

The Start Childhood Off Right (SCOR) program of Connecticut Children's Office for Community Child Health focuses on identifying and addressing food insecurity in the families we serve, while also promoting healthy eating and informed food choices.

Here’s why this work matters:

14% of people living in Connecticut are food insecure
17% of children—or 1 in 6—experience food insecurity
Rates rise to 20–25% in cities like Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport, and New Haven
Since 2020, the number of people experiencing food insecurity in Connecticut has increased by 40%

To help address this, Connecticut Children’s is actively screening families in both our emergency department and outpatient primary care clinics for food insecurity. Families who screen positive are provided with food vouchers, helping them access more nutritious options such as fresh produce.

While SCOR does not directly provide meals, its impact is real. The program provides families with the tools to make healthier food choices, supporting children’s physical health, development, and school readiness.

Linking Food Access to Back-to-School Success

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to reset habits and reinforce routines. A nutritious lunch plays a big role in helping children stay focused, energized, and ready to learn. But creating well-balanced lunches doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

Here are a few practical tips to help parents and caregivers pack healthy, affordable lunches:

Build a Balanced Lunch

Fill half the lunchbox with fruits and vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and fiber
Use whole grains (about a quarter of the meal) for long-lasting energy
Include protein like lean meats, eggs, or beans for growth and satiety
Add healthy fats in small amounts, such as avocado, seeds, or nut butters for brain health

Use What’s Accessible

Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables all provide great nutrition
Choose fruits like grapes or orange segments that hold up well in lunchboxes
Look for produce that’s in-season or on sale to keep costs down

Think Beyond the Sandwich

Make DIY lunchables with crackers, cheese, turkey, and fruit
Roll whole wheat bread flat and fill with nut butter and jelly or veggies for “sushi sandwiches”
Try pasta salad with whole wheat noodles, chopped veggies, and vinaigrette

Easy, Affordable Proteins

Hard-boiled eggs
Greek yogurt with granola
Deli turkey roll-ups
Chicken meatballs
Hummus with crackers or vegetables

Include a Small Snack or Treat

Mini muffins made with bananas or apples
Energy bites made with oats and nut butter (check school allergy policies)

Involve Kids in the Process

Children are more likely to eat what they help prepare. Involving them in lunch decisions can help build confidence and healthy habits from an early age.

Supporting Healthy Futures Together

The SCOR program is one of several initiatives of Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health aimed at addressing the social drivers that impact child health. By identifying food insecurity and connecting families to resources that support better nutrition, SCOR helps ensure children are equipped to succeed—not just in the classroom, but in all areas of life.