Project Focus on Optimum Development of Children (F.O.O.D.) was initiated in June, 1971, as a demonstration project with child health and development as a key purpose for pupils based in two poverty area schools in Durham, North Carolina; the project this year has served 1300 children. It has provided consultation to teachers and liaison work with parents and community agencies. The six objectives of the project are as follows: (1) to demonstrate and document the development of an interdisciplinary team located in a public school setting whose efforts are directed toward the objectives of this project; (2) to demonstrate and document methods to increase parent participation in the school's nutritional, educational, and child development program; (3) to demonstrate and document methods to increase positive changes in children in the area of nutritional intake and attitudes, learning, and self-concept; (4) to demonstrate and document increased utilization of existing community resources in a public school setting; (5) to train professionals and paraprofessionals to create an awareness of the impact of nutrition, mental and physical health, and the learning processes in the public school setting; and, (6) to demonstrate and document improvements in the awareness of teachers toward the unique educational, emotional, and nutritional needs of these children. (Author/JM)