U.S. Department of Education Senior Official to Participate in Event that Spotlights Impact of Healthy Eating on Academics

David Esquith, director of the Office of Safe and Healthy Students, will participate in Real Food For Kids’ second annual Food Day celebration. The event, “Feeding Academic Success,” will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church, Va. Esquith will serve as one of several “Taster’s Choice” judges who will judge salad bar entries prepared for and by students from Fairfax County high schools.

During the event, which is open to the public, community leaders, teachers, parents and students will come together to learn about healthy eating and its impact on learning. There will be a keynote by Ann Cooper, chef, author, educator and child advocate for healthy eating, and a panel discussion by health and nutrition experts will follow. There also will be a teen culinary challenge. Teams of local students will compete to create a fresh, nutritious and appealing salad bar that meets the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program guidelines.

Food Day is nationwide celebration and movement for healthy, affordable and sustainable food, and Real Food For Kids is the local face of the national movement to improve the quality of school food.

**NOTE: Members of the press are invited at 5 p.m.—prior to the public opening—to act as judges in a separate Taster’s Choice award, to speak with culinary students and panelists, and to photograph student entries.