District 197 Schools Earn Health Award From USDA

Each of District 197’s five elementary schools have earned
the United State Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) silver award in the HealthierUS School Challenge, a voluntary national certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The HealthierUS School Challenge supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier school environments through promotion of good nutrition and physical activity.

“Receiving these awards affirms all of the work we have been doing throughout the district to provide a healthier environment for our students and staff,” said Jeff Wolfer, District 197 Child Nutrition Director. “We’re very proud of creating a general climate of wellness in our schools, for example by not using food as a reward or as a primary fundraising tool, to make sure our students are leading healthy lives now and in the future.”

District 197 is one of five school districts in Minnesota to achieve this honor, and only about two percent of schools nationwide have been awarded the silver award in the
HealthierUS School Challenge. The challenge has four levels of awards: Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Gold Award of Distinction. For earning the silver award, each elementary school in District 197 will receive $1,000 to support wellness initiatives, an award plaque signed by a USDA official, a banner, and recognition on the USDA website.

To qualify for this award, each school submitted a formal application and met basic criteria set forth by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The criteria reflect the recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the Institute of Medicine standards for
foods that should be served in schools, outside of the organized school lunch meals.

HealthierUS Schools must also have a local school wellness policy, as mandated by Congress. Schools receiving these awards commit to meeting the criteria throughout a
four-year certification period. District 197’s Child Nutrition Department worked on meeting the criteria and applying for the awards during the 2010-11 school year. Lunch menu changes in the last year included adding daily whole grain options, dark green and orange vegetables three times a week, and offering a different fruit and vegetable daily. The district is in the process of applying for the award for all secondary schools this school year.