Food and Beverage
School Day Fuel
Last Updated on September 6, 2025 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) From packing lunchboxes to after-school snacking and evening meals, school days can get hectic in the kitchen – in a hurry. Saving valuable time is of the essence for busy families looking to stave off hunger without sacrificing nutrition or flavor.
To help make delicious yet nutritious meals a reality all day long, consider these recipes for Shrimp Spaghetti at the family dinner table, Potato Pizza Puffs for fuel after school and Celery and Whipped Ricotta with Drizzled Honey and Dried Apricots, perfect for sending in a lunchbox or enjoying while finishing homework.
For recipes that fuel families throughout the school year and beyond, visit Culinary.net.
Save School Night Dinners
Don’t sacrifice flavor on those hectic weeknights. Instead, turn to this Shrimp Spaghetti recipe that keeps dinnertime simple and delicious while saving precious time for homework and special moments as a family.
Find more quick dinner solutions at Culinary.net.
Shrimp Spaghetti
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 1 package (12 ounces) raw shrimp
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup frozen or fresh spinach
- bread, for serving
- Cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions.
- In skillet over medium heat, add butter, avocado oil and shrimp. Mix in 1 tablespoon garlic powder and paprika. Remove shrimp after they begin to turn pink; set aside.
- Add chicken broth, Parmesan, heavy cream, remaining garlic powder, onion powder and spinach to skillet and mix well. Add shrimp back to skillet to finish cooking. Mix in noodles and serve with bread.
A Savory, Satisfying After-School Snack
When the school day ends, quick and nutritious snacks can help keep your kids fueled and focused to tackle homework and after-school activities. These Potato Pizza Puffs – a fusion of classic pizza flavors in a convenient, flaky vessel – are baked to golden perfection and served alongside a tangy marinara sauce that easily elevates the snacking experience to new heights.
Powered by energy-packed potatoes, which are an excellent source of vitamin C and have more potassium than a banana, these puffs are a surefire hit for pizza lovers everywhere. Plus, potatoes are naturally fat-free, cholesterol-free and sodium-free with only 110 calories per 5.3-ounce serving, meaning you can feel good about serving them to your kids as part of every meal of the day.
Find more recipes for the school year ahead at EatWisconsinPotatoes.com.
Potato Pizza Puffs
Recipe courtesy of Potatoes USA
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Servings: 12
- 1 medium (5.3 ounces) Wisconsin russet potato
- 2 cups cold water
- 3 whole garlic cloves, crushed (optional)
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough
- nonstick cooking spray
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- Wash and scrub potato thoroughly. Pat dry and thinly slice into 1/8-inch rounds.
- Place sliced potatoes in saucepan and cover with cold water. Add crushed garlic cloves to the water, if desired.
- Parboil potatoes 5 minutes until slightly tender.
- Thaw puff pastry and roll out slightly with rolling pin. Cut into 12 equal strips.
- On foil-lined tray generously sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, sprinkle with Parmesan and Italian seasoning then shingle 3-4 par-cooked potato slices with 3-4 pepperoni slices. Top slices with mozzarella followed by puff pastry strip. Push edges of pastry down onto foil to slightly “seal” puffs, keeping contents within pastry.
- In air fryer set at 400 F, bake 7-8 minutes.
- Wait for cheese to cool before removing puffs from tray. Gently peel potato pizza puffs off foil. Serve with marinara sauce.
Add This Nutritious Snack to Lunchboxes and After-School Menus
All that homework and those draining school sports practices sometimes require a little boost of energy from a fresh, delicious snack. To keep your little ones (or big ones) going, try Celery and Whipped Ricotta with Drizzled Honey and Dried Apricots for a quick bite that’s equal parts filling and nutritious.
Packed with flavor and low in calories, celery is a smart choice for snacking in the afternoon or taking to school in a lunchbox. It’s made up of 95% water and is naturally hydrating and high in fiber to keep students feeling full and refreshed.
Available year-round, Dandy Celery from Duda Farm Fresh Foods is a perfect solution as it redefines what celery can be – crispier, sweeter and less stringy – through a legacy of quality, innovation and consistency in celery cultivation since 1926.
Visit DudaFresh.com to find more quick and easy solutions for after-school snacking and meals throughout busy school days.
Celery and Whipped Ricotta with Drizzled Honey and Dried Apricots
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
- Dandy Celery sticks (4-5 inches)
- 2 tablespoons whipped ricotta cheese
- 6-7 dried apricot slices
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Using piping bag or freezer bag with one corner removed, fill celery sticks with ricotta cheese.
- Place dried apricot slices evenly across top of spread. Drizzle honey on top.
- Chill until ready to serve.
SOURCE:
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
Economy
Feeding the Economy Report Says U.S. Food, Agriculture Add $10.4 Trillion
The 2026 Feeding the Economy report says U.S. food and agriculture industries generate $10.4 trillion in economic value and support 48.7 million jobs.
New Feeding the Economy Report Highlights Food, Agriculture Industry Strength
America’s food and agriculture industries generated more than $10.4 trillion in economic value in 2026, accounting for nearly 20% of the U.S. economy, according to the 10th annual Feeding the Economy report released by 35 food and agriculture groups. The new farm-to-fork study also found the sector supports 48.7 million jobs nationwide, including 24.3 million direct jobs across farming, food manufacturing, processing, distribution, retail, and foodservice.
The report points to continued resilience despite inflation, trade uncertainty, and ongoing pressure on farmers and producers. It found food and agriculture generate more than $3 trillion in wages and $1.35 trillion in tax revenue, while U.S. exports totaled $177.3 billion. At the same time, the study flagged softer areas to watch, including flat direct employment in production agriculture and food manufacturing, along with a year-over-year decline in exports. For the food and beverage industry, the report reinforces just how deeply agriculture remains tied to jobs, supply chains, and broader economic stability.
Source:
Tenth Annual “Feeding the Economy” Report Demonstrates Strength and Resilience of the American Food and Agriculture Industries Amid Ongoing Economic Pressures — Feeding the Economy via PR Newswire
Further information:
Feeding the Economy
View the original press release on PR Newswire
STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.
Foodie News
Fresh Brothers Pizza Launches U.S. Franchise Expansion
California-based Fresh Brothers Pizza has launched franchise expansion plans, targeting new U.S. markets with support from Craveworthy Brands.
California’s Fresh Brothers Pizza Opens Franchise Opportunities Nationwide
Fresh Brothers Pizza is taking its next step beyond Southern California, opening franchise opportunities nationwide with backing from Craveworthy Brands. For Foodie News readers, the story is less about another pizza chain expanding and more about how a California-born concept is trying to stand out in one of America’s most crowded food categories: by leaning hard into ingredient quality, hospitality, and menu flexibility.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2008 by Scott Goldberg and his family, Fresh Brothers has grown to more than 20 locations across California. The brand says its appeal starts with handmade dough produced daily, vine-ripened tomato sauce, 100 percent pure mozzarella, and a menu that goes beyond pizza to include salads, baked wings, knots, sliders, pastas, and sandwiches. It also built an early reputation for inclusive options, offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices at a time when many pizzerias were slower to adapt. That positioning helped Fresh Brothers earn a spot on Pizza Marketplace’s 2026 “Top 100 Movers & Shakers” list.
Now, with operational support from Craveworthy Brands, Fresh Brothers is targeting growth markets including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Texas. According to the company, franchisees will receive support in real estate, training, supply chain, marketing, technology, and operations. The brand is also showcasing its model at the 2026 International Pizza Expo and Conference in Las Vegas from March 24 to 26. For restaurant watchers, this is one to keep an eye on: Fresh Brothers is betting that a quality-first, Midwest-style pizza concept can travel well beyond its California base.
Source:
Fresh Brothers Bakes Franchise Opportunity, Bringing a Fresh Take on America’s Favorite Food Across The U.S. — Craveworthy Brands via PR Newswire
Further information:
Fresh Brothers Pizza
Craveworthy Brands
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
Foodie News
Take to the Outdoors with a Fresh, Picnic-Friendly Sandwich
When the weather breaks and it’s time to get outdoors, there’s hardly any better place to be than resting on a deck, lounging in the backyard or curled up on a picnic blanket at a local park. Enjoy that leisurely time with loved ones by sharing a spread that includes these Picnic-Friendly Sandwich.
Take to the Outdoors with a Fresh, Picnic-Friendly Sandwich
(Feature Impact) When the weather breaks and it’s time to get outdoors, there’s hardly any better place to be than resting on a deck, lounging in the backyard or curled up on a picnic blanket at a local park. Enjoy that leisurely time with loved ones by sharing a spread that includes these Picnic Party Sandwiches, perfect for a filling lunch that provides the energy you need for kicking around a soccer ball, playing tag or flying a kite.
Find more lunch ideas fit for enjoying the sunshine by visiting Culinary.net.
Picnic Party Sandwiches
Recipe adapted from “Crunch Time Kitchen”
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- 1 large fresh baguette
- 1/4 cup fig preserves
- 6-8 ounces cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami and capocollo
- 6 ounces brie cheese, sliced
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- Mash together room temperature butter with fresh parsley. Set aside.
- Cut fresh baguette length-wise and smear bottom half of the baguette with herbed butter. Top with fig preserves.
- Layer on cured meats followed by slices of brie cheese. For brie, cut off any large pieces of rind.
- In small bowl, toss arugula with lemon juice and salt. Add arugula to sandwich followed by top half of baguette.
- Cut baguette into four even sandwiches and eat immediately or wrap each one tightly in paper or plastic wrap.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
