Posted by Kathleen FioRito, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Food and Nutrition Service & Doreen Simonds, Waterford (MI) Public Schools on August 22, 2014
Doreen Simonds is the Nutrition and Purchasing Services Director for the Waterford Public Schools in Waterford, Michigan. Doreen has been a strong voice for healthier school meals and creative nutrition education strategies. Under her leadership, thirteen of Waterford’s twenty schools have won USDA HealthierUS School Challenge awards. I’d like to share Doreen’s blog below on the importance of teamwork in moving forward on children’s health and nutrition.
Posted by Dr. Janey Thornton, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services on August 19, 2014
Ed. Note: This is a cross post from the blog of usda.gov. You can find the original post here.
In today’s installment of our Cafeteria Stories series, we highlight the innovative and successful school nutrition strategies that a Tennessee school district is using to positively impact the health of our next generation. I believe very strongly in the power of student engagement, and the Jackson-Madison County School District is expertly tapping into that resource. By empowering students and integrating them into the program structure, they have altered food culture and made the healthy choice the desirable choice within and outside of the school walls. We thank them for sharing their story!
Posted by Kevin Concannon, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services on August 15, 2014
Ed. Note: This is a cross post from the blog of usda.gov. You can find the original post here.
Several recent media reports have misrepresented how the bi-partisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act’s Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards will impact school fundraisers like bake sales.
Posted by Paula Buser, Director, Nutrition Services & Print Shop, Littleton Public Schools on August 14, 2014
For me, success in implementing the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, in large part has been about communication and leadership. It’s not just what you present to people, it’s the way you present it and the way you lead them through change.
In the fall of 2012, when the rules were first being implemented, I was the Manager of Nutrition Services for Cañon City Schools in Cañon City, Colorado. Initially, there was a lot of anxiety among the staff about how we were going to be able to meet the new requirements.
Posted by Erin Saltmarsh, Program Assistant, Let’s Move Pittsburgh, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens on August 13, 2014
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens does a lot of work with area schools. From conducting field trips to teacher trainings to the Fairchild Challenge at Phipps, we reach a lot of students and educators each year. Let’s Move!
Posted by Mary Murphy, The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast on August 8, 2014
A generation ago, kids were outside playing in their yards, in their neighborhoods, and on the local playgrounds. Physical activity was limitless as kids played freeze tag, ran around in the sprinklers, and swam in the pool until the street lights came on, when it was time to go home. Imagination is what inspired “play.”
Posted by Tracy Wiedt, Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties Program Manager, National League of Cities on August 5, 2014
Two years ago, First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the five goals of Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC). Since then, local elected officials from nearly 450 cities, towns and counties of varying sizes and locations—including Anchorage, Alaska; Linn County, Iowa; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and everywhere in between—have committed to pursuing these five LMCTC goals.
Posted by Kelly Miterko, Deputy Associate Director, Let's Move! on August 3, 2014
It’s official! U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack proclaimed August 3-9, 2014 as National Farmers Market Week. This year marks the 15th Annual National Farmers Market Week recognizing the important role that farmers markets play in the agricultural and food economy.
Posted by Aisha Hasan, Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on July 31, 2014
The City of Coconut Creek is located in beautiful South Florida and is known as “The Butterfly Capital of the World®.” Coconut Creek joined Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) in September 2013.
Posted by Sam Kass, Executive Director, Let’s Move! on July 25, 2014
This week, research was released from the first national studies to examine students’ reaction to healthier school meals after the U.S. Department of Agriculture improved nutrition standards through the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act.
Posted by Kelly Miterko, Deputy Associate Director, Let's Move! on July 23, 2014
Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama joined the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) to celebrate new commitments from the tap water industry to support Drink Up.
Posted by Elyse Cohen, Deputy Director, Let’s Move! on July 18, 2014
Today, the First Lady welcomed fifty-four young chefs from all over the country to the East Room for the 2014 Kids’ State Dinner. These 54 kids were selected from more than 1,500 recipes that were submitted for the Epicurious Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. From the décor to the talent, food, and big smiles, the White House was bustling with our next generation of kids encouraging healthy habits.
Posted by Kelly Miterko, Deputy Associate Director, Let's Move! on July 18, 2014
The 2014 Kids’ State Dinner is here! Today, First Lady Michelle Obama will host the 54 winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and their parent or guardian for the third annual Kids’ State Dinner at the White House.
Posted by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Education Secretary Arne Duncan on July 16, 2014
Ed. note: This is cross-posted from the United States Department of Agriculture. See the original post here.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 enabled the U.S Department of Agriculture to make historic changes to the meals served in our nation’s schools. Breakfasts, lunches, and snacks sold during the school day are now more nutritious than ever, with less fat and sodium and more whole-grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. For many kids, the meals they get at school may be the only nutritious meals they receive that day — and when children receive proper nourishment, they are not only healthier, but they also have better school attendance and perform better academically. It’s not enough, though, to make the meals healthier — we must ensure that children have access to those healthier foods.
