Few people understand the meaning behind a meal better than school nutrition professionals like you. It's something that brings people together, fuels favorite activities, adds to a celebration, offers comfort when times are tough and shows the person you re serving that you care about them.

And for many, that understanding of a good meal's importance comes from something deeper. It can come from something like personal experiences, good memories or traditions instilled in you. Family recipes and traditions going back to childhood teach an appreciation for food the people who make it, the effort that goes into it, the ingredients used and where they come from, who serves it, and the way the world seems to stop when people come together to enjoy it.

"Some of my favorite memories are of sharing homemade meals with family, where everyone had a place at the table," says Luis Mazariegos, communications and technology specialist for the Food Services Department of West Contra Costa Unified School District, Calif. "Those experiences taught me that a nutritious meal can bring comfort, connection and a sense of belonging."

Mazariegos grew up in a Guatemalan family and watched his grandmother Mama Juana lovingly prepare cultural dishes. Food was never just a meal. He says it was how their family came together...