July 27, 2010

Chefs Move to Schools program!

More than 1,600 chefs across the country are volunteering their time to help generate excitement about nutritious foods in schools through school gardens, cooking demonstrations, taste tests and more. Participating chefs are using an interactive map to find interested schools, like yours, in their area. A chef will use the information provided to contact you about working together.

For more information about the program go to http://bit.ly/9BhtIf. If you would like to sign up you can go directly to: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/schoolmeals/Chef/SchoolsForm.php

July 25, 2010

Vote for your favorite Healthy App for Kids!

The finalists have been chosen in the Apps for Healthy Kids competition - a contest initiated by First Lady Michelle Obama to challenge inventors across the country to build games and tools that inspire and empower kids and their parents to get active and eat healthy. Now its your turn to help choose the winner!

You will find all 95 of the final entries online in the Apps for Healthy Kids Application Gallery, where you can test the tools, play the games, and share your favorites with friends and family.

Public voting will run through August 14th.  Your top picks will take home the $4,500 Popular Choice award and be honored at a White House event in September.

See What's New at Let's Move.gov!

First lady Michelle Obama recently announced that the Let's Move! web site has been updated with even more resources and information for parents, teachers and community leaders to help our children eat better and become more active. Some new features include:

• Simple steps to success for parents, teachers, local officials, community leaders and chefs with easy, achievable ways to make changes in your day to day lives to improve the health of our nation's kids;
• The Let's Move! blog with the latest news, events and videos that are easy to share with friends and family;
• Ideas and resources for parents and families to get moving in the great outdoors;
• Links to Let's Move! on Facebook where you can connect and share tips with others that are concerned about this issue; and 
• Healthy, affordable weekly menu plans and video cooking demonstrations for busy families created by some of the country's top chefs. 

July 6, 2010

Teachers can earn 4 CPDU's and a poster - FREE!

Illinois teachers who complete the teacher's eCourse for the new Nutrition A3 Program can earn 4 free CPDU credits and a poster for their classroom. Nutrition A3 is a fun and innovative new curriculum for middle and high school students that uses technology to empower teens to make healthy food choices and be physically active. The goal is to change behaviors and reduce their risk of becoming overweight by using a media teens love to engage in! For all the details go to www.kidseatwell.org/NutritionA3.html.

July 5, 2010

Register to attend a briefing on the Affordable Care Act, with specific details on provisions that will affect women and children in Illinois

Dates and Locations:

• 7/7/10 10AM - 12PM Kankakee Public Library, 3rd Floor, 201 E. Merchant St. Kankakee, IL  60901
• 7/19/10 10:30AM - 12:30PM Peoria Public Library Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave Peoria, IL 61614
• 7/19/10 2:30 - 4:30 IL Association of Community Action Agencies, 3435 Liberty Drive Springfield, IL 62704
• 7/20/10 1pm - 3pm Rockford Memorial Hospital – Funderburg Auditorium, 2400 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford

Space is limited so RSVP in one of the following ways:

1. Download an Abode PDF version of the flyer and registration form and fax it back to 312-491-8171
2. Online at www.ilmaternal.org/healthcarepolicyforum.html

July 5, 2010

NEW! Children's BMI Tool for Schools

From the CDC, this BMI Excel spreadsheet is intended for use by school, child care, and other professionals who want to compute Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age for a group of up to 2000 children, for example a school class room or grade. Using height and weight measurements, sex, date of birth, and date of measurement information that you enter it provides a group summary of children's BMI-for-age categories and graphs for Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity, and Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity by Sex.

Body Mass Index Measurements in Schools
This guidance document describes the purpose of school-based BMI surveillance and screening, examines current practices, summarizes the recommendations of experts, identifies concerns surrounding programs, and outlines needs for future research. Guidance is provided on specific safeguards that need to be addressed before schools decide to collect BMI information

June 17, 2010

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010

Public comments are now being accepted on the Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 (Advisory Report). Individuals and organizations are encouraged to view the Advisory Report now posted along with public comments at www.dietaryguidelines.gov. To read the press release click here.

United We Serve: Let’s Read. Let’s Move

An initiative launched by the Corporation for National and Community Service that is focused on strengthening our kids’ minds and bodies.
The goal of Let’s Read. Let’s Move. is simple: to provide opportunities to engage young people in summer reading and physical activities, as well as providing access to healthy, affordable food. Partners in the initiative include the Departments of Education, Agriculture, Interior, and Health and Human Services, as well as the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences. Some examples of activities already in place include cleaning up walking trails and playgrounds, tending to communities gardens, organizing book drives, and reading to young children. Consider how you could make an enduring difference in your own community. Visit http://serve.gov/lrlm.asp to find out more.

 Let’s Move Cities and Towns

Let’s Move Cities and Towns emphasizes the unique ability of communities to address the problem of childhood obesity locally. Mayors and elected officials can provide critical leadership to bring communities together and spur action. We encourage prospective cities and towns to support and take action on the four pillars of the Let’s Move! initiative:
1. Help Parents Make Healthy Family Choices
2. Create Healthy Schools
3. Provide Access to Healthy and Affordable Food
4. Promote Physical Activity

To learn more, see Let's Move Cities and Towns: A Call to Action.

June 11, 2010

Competitive Foods in Schools: a new analysis

A new analysis, How Competitive Foods in Schools Impact Student Health, School Meal Programs, and Students from Low-Income Families, by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) examines the role of competitive foods in schools and outlines strategies to improve the school food environment. Competitive foods - those foods available in vending machines, cafeteria "a la carte lines," and elsewhere in schools that are not part of the official school meal programs - not only have a negative impact on the health and well-being of students but also contribute to fewer students participating in the school meal programs.

June 4, 2010

USDA HealthierUS School Challenge!

USDA has established the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) to recognize schools that create healthier school environments by providing nutrition education, nutritious food and beverage choices, physical education and opportunities for physical activity. They have made many updates to the program this year and if you haven't checked out their web site in a while, take another look! http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/healthierUS/vision.html

May 24, 2010

New website from Midwest Dairy!

Midwest Dairy's new website includes tools for schools, recipes for parents and background information on everything dairy. There is also information on grant opportunities and free educational materials and a blog where you can interact with dairy experts. Go to http://www.midwestdairy.com/

May 3, 2010

Illinois Farm to School: A food movement has started across the country…Illinois cannot be left behind.

Illinois Farm to School needs you to take part in an online survey that serves as a vital first step towards serving more locally-grown food to Illinois school children.  

Survey participants will be entered into a raffle to win one of 5 Visa gift cards, each valued at $100.

To begin the survey, simply click here:
www.farmtoschool.org/IL/survey.htm

Spread the word  to everyone you know in Illinois, especially parents, teachers, farmers, school administrators and food service directors!

A message from Governor Pat Quinn about the survey:  www.farmtoschool.org/IL/governorletter.htm

New Summer Feeding Toolkit

When the last bell of the school year rings, many of the children who rely on the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs (NSLP and SBP) for their daily nutrition throughout the year are left at serious risk of going hungry. The federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) can help bridge the hunger gap.
If you think your community could benefit from participating in the SFSP, or you would like to expand your existing program through better promotion and marketing, this Summer Feeding Toolkit is for you. The Summer Feeding Toolkit has the following useful sections:

• Getting Started or Expanding Your Existing Program
• Summer Feeding Checklist
• Promoting Your Program
• Working with the Media
• Sample Summer Feeding Menus

Find out more at www.schoolnutrition.org/summer

The Summer Feeding Toolkit is made possible by the School Nutrition Association (SNA) and the National Watermelon Promotion Board.

April 23, 2010

The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance - New report!

the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) just released this new report on April 14, 2010.  The report indicates that school-based physical activity may help improve students’ grades and test scores and positively affect other factors that influence academic achievement.  The report also concludes that adding time during the school day for physical activity does not appear to take away from academic performance.

The report and executive summary are available on the DASH Health and Academics Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/index.htm#3

Additionally, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education has released a brochure for the public that briefly summarizes the findings of DASH’s report.  It is available at www.LetsMoveInSchool.org or www.aahperd.org/naspe.

March 12, 2010

Calling All Parents!

This spring, Action for Healthy Kids is introducing a monthly e-newsletter that will feature tips, tools, recipes and ideas to help your kids eat right and be active every day so they are ready to learn. If you'd like to receive this e-newsletter, send your email address to info@ActionforHealthyKids.org. You can also check out the Family Corner at Action for Healthy Kids for resources to help your kids make healthy choices at home and school.

March 5, 2010

Fuel Up to Play 60 with the NFL!

The Midwest Dairy Council, St. Louis District Dairy Council, National Dairy Council and the National Football league have joined forces to develop Fuel Up to Play 60 , a program that empowers youth to take actions to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health.  Over 60,000 schools in the nation participated in the 2009-2010 school year.  Fuel Up to Play 60 leverages the excitement of the NFL and applies social marketing principles to influence actions and behaviors and motivate youth to invest in their own health and take action to improve their school. The program lets students take the lead to develop nutrition and physical activity action strategies and engage the whole student body in the program.  

Enrollment is now open for the 2010-11 school year (kits will not ship until next fall).  Log into www.fueluptoplay60.com to register your school for a FREE school kit and find other online tools for activation!  Order your kit now since quantities are limited.

February 25, 2010

Federal Nutrition Education Resources

This document provides a comprehensive compilation, with active links, of currently available federally published nutrition education resources. All items have been approved through the joint HHS and USDA Dietary Guidance Review process and provide federal nutrition recommendations based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005.
Click here for the PDF version, or for the TXT version.

February 12, 2010

Let's Move! - America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids!

Join First Lady Michelle Obama, community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, and parents in a nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity. Let’s Move! will give parents the support they need, provide healthier food in schools, help our kids to be more physically active, and make healthy, affordable food available in every part of our country.

Visit the Let's Move! website and get involved!

Click here to view the White House press release of the Let's Move! Initiative.

Donate to the Backpack Buddies!

Backpack Buddies is a program that supports healthy, balanced eating over the weekend for elementary school children who may not have adequate resources. In order to ensure that the children are receiving the recommended nutrition needs, The Pediatric Healthy Weight Research & Treatment Center at the Brody School Of Medicine has created a reference sheet with ideas for food donations. Please go to www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/pedsweightcenter/upload/Backpack-ideas.pdf.

For information on how to donate items for this program contact your local food bank, food pantry or backpack program.

February 9, 2010

Meet The Taste Buddies!

This website from The American Institute for Cancer Research introduces kids to The Taste Buddies, six characters that each have a specialty in nutrition and fitness. Explore each of their worlds and learn fun facts about nutrition, how to prepare easy, delicious and healthy recipes, new games to increase fitness, and how to grow items in a garden to eat. Visit this kid-friendly website at www.thetastebuddies.org/?location_id=62.

NFSMI Is Now Part of the Social Network: FaceBook, YouTube and Twitter!

To become a fan of NFSMI on Facebook, click HERE.

To view dozens of short video clips on YouTube, including the Culinary Techniques Food Preparation demonstrations click HERE.

To follow NFSMI on Twitter and get the latest news click HERE.

Announcing CEED@Chicago Website -- www.ceedchicago.org

The Center of Excellence in the Elimination of Disparities (CEED) has a new website. You will find information relevant to social disparities, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and healthy eating and physical activity among Latinos and African Americans. And, in addition to keeping you informed of CEED's activities and events, CEED wants to post information on your events and activities. You can send information about your organization to Sheila Castillo, CEED Program Manager, srcastil@uic.edu.

January 8, 2010

Kids Eat Less Junk Food When Middle Schools Stop Providing It

Positive news from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University . Their researchers looked at six middle schools in Connecticut over two years. In the three target schools, snacks meeting current nutrition standards replaced items that did not meet the standards, while the foods at the three comparison schools remained the same. The results: kids ate less junk food at school and did not compensate by eating more at home. The article is published in the Journal of Health Education and Behavior 36(6), 2009. You can access the article at: www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22116 and click on the link at the bottom of the page.

December 21, 2009

Twenty-One Schools Receive HealthierUS School Challenge Mini-grants!

Congratulations to 21 Illinois elementary schools that have been awarded grants from the Illinois Nutrition Education and Training (NET) Program in preparation to take the HealthierUS School Challenge during the 2010 – 2011 school year. The HealthierUS School Challenge is a voluntary recognition program from USDA Food and Nutrition Service that recognizes outstanding achievement in healthier school environments. The Illinois NET Program is supported by the Illinois State Board of Education and the mini-grants have been provided by a 2009 USDA Team Nutrition Training grant. Click here to see a list of the winning schools.

December 18, 2009

New Resource to Prevent Stomach Illnesses at School: The Stomach Bug Book: What School Employees Need to Know

This booklet explains what you—the school employee—need to know about stomach illnesses at school. What are your responsibilities? How can you decrease the risks to yourself, your co-workers, and other students? How should you clean up? This booklet will answer these questions for you and provide you with tips to share with your co-workers, family, and the school community. Click here to download the booklet for free!

December 8, 2009

Now Available! Culinary Techniques for Healthy School Meals Online Course

The National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) has developed a series of six free online courses designed to help child nutrition teams prepare healthier school meals that appeal to students' tastes. The Culinary Techniques for Healthy School Meals courses help school foodservice staff initiate food production and culinary techniques that incorporate principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans into the planning and preparation of school meals.

Illinois school foodservice staff members that complete all six courses are eligible to earn up to 33 credits and receive a set of Dietary Guidelines posters for their cafeteria, while supplies lasts.

For more information, visit the Illinois NET Program website at http://www.kidseatwell.org/CulinaryTechniquesforHealthySchoolMealsProject.htm

December 7, 2009

New Report on Fat Content of School Lunches

Concerns about child obesity have raised questions about the quality of meals served in the National School Lunch Program. In the mid-1990s a range of policies and standards to improve the quality of USDA-subsidized meals were instituted. Schools have been successful in meeting USDA nutrient standards except those for total fat and saturated fat. This report uses school-level data from the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment-III to assess the differences between the fat content of NSLP lunches served by schools with different policies and characteristics. The presence of a la carte foods and vending machines appears to increase the fat content amd decrease the nutrient content of USDA-subsidized meals.

To read the full report go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR87/

November 30, 2009

Press Release November 11, 2009: Science Supports the Important Role of Milk, including Flavored Milk, in Children's Nutrition

Leading health and nutrition organizations – including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, and the School Nutrition Association – recognize the valuable role that low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, can play in meeting daily nutrient needs, and helping kids get the daily servings of milk recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Click here to read the entire article from the American Dietetic Association: http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/media_23069_ENU_HTML.htm

USDA Child Care Recipes - Updated!

The recipes from the 1999 publication Child Care Recipes: Food for Health and Fun for the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program have been updated. USDA Recipes for Child Care consists of a booklet and 2 CD-ROMs. The booklet describes how to work with recipes, adjusting recipes, food safety information, and much more. The first CD contains the booklet text; tips for cooking, preparation, and storage; files of the recipes by name and number; “how to" instructions; food storage times, mini-posters on hand washing and thermometer usage. The second CD contains the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs.

Visit the USDA website for details: http://bit.ly/Dr0mo

The kit is available to child care centers and state agencies upon request from Team Nutrition.

October 20, 2009

New Nutrition Requirements Recommended for School Meal Programs

A new report from the Institute of Medicine states that the The National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program should adopt a new set of nutrient targets and standards to meet children's nutritional needs better and foster healthy eating habits. The recommended targets and standards would bring the programs in line with the latest information on nutrition and child health and with current dietary guidelines. For complete details: www.iom.edu/Reports/2009/School-Meals-Building-Blocks-for-Healthy-Children.aspx.

Join the Healthy Schools Program's Network for FREE!

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the American Heart Association and The William J. Clinton Foundation, are working to create healthier schools. They are now offering free admission for anyone interested in helping a school become a healthier place to learn and work. When you join you will have access to a wealth of resources to support your efforts to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and create healthy lifelong habits.

Join now at HealthierGeneration.org/schools.

August 27, 2009

The Nutrition Education Loan Library has many new items!

The Nutrition Education Loan Library provides ready access to nutrition education materials which can be used for student instruction, staff training, parent education and program planning. Many new items have recently been added:

• Promotional posters focusing on breakfast, caffeinated beverages, and whole grains
• A game show activity focusing on nutrition: Snap Recap: Nutrition
• DVD's and PowerPoints focusing on:
  • MyPyramid: Anatomy of MyPyramid
  • Breakfast: Breakfast....Because and The Case for Breakfast
  • Reading labels: Nutrition Labels-Starting with Breakfast
  • Portion Distortion: Avoid Portion Distortion
  • Dietary Fat: Fats-Know the Difference, Healthy or Harmful
  • Sugared beverages and obesity: Obesity in a Bottle

Click here to search the Loan Library: www.kidseatwell.org/loan-library.htm.

July 27, 2009

Now Available! NFSMI's Online Course System

The National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) has released a list of online courses that are now available. The NFSMI's advanced online course system uses the latest Internet technology to make it easy and convenient for you to learn. To reflect the busy lives food and nutrition professionals, each course can be taken over multiple sessions and computers, ideal for those who need to access courses from work, school, or home. Click here to view the courses, and for registration details.

July 21, 2009

School Meal Program Participation and Its Association with Dietary Patterns and Childhood Obesity

This report from the Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. used data from the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment III Study to examine the dietary patterns of school meal program participants and non-participants and the relationship between school meal participation and children’s Body Mass Index (BMI). Overall, NSLP participation was not significantly related to students’ BMI while SBP participants had significantly lower BMI than did non-participants. You can read the complete report at www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/CCR55/.

The School Breakfast Program: Participation and Impacts - a study from the University of Wisconsin - Madison

This report examines the determinants of participation in the School Breakfast Program among third grade public school students. The study found that students are more likely to participate when breakfast is served in the classroom, when time available for breakfast in school is longer, and when they come from lower income or time-constrained households. Children with access to the School Breakfast Program are more likely to eat breakfast in the morning and that program access may enhance food security among families at the margin of food insecurity. To read the full report go to www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/CCR54/.

New Team Nutrition Resources for Food Service Professionals!

Team Nutrition has just released five resources that have been updated to assist food service programs in providing meals to students that meet the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They include:

• Menu Planner for Healthy School Meals
  and the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
• Fruits & Vegetables Galore Helping Kids Eat More
• Fact Sheets for Healthier School Meals
• USDA Recipes for Schools
• Offer versus Serve Resource Guide

These resources are available to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program at no charge. Please see the Team Nutrition web page for more details.

Upcoming Training

July 28, 2010

The creators of The Whole Plate: A Return to Real Foods curriculum are hosting a course for teachers who want to integrate fresh foods into their nutrition, cooking or science classes. Participants will harvest, cook, preserve and discuss real foods, from the farm to the kitchen and classroom. Jane Siemon, the author of the curriculum and special guest chef Monique Hooker will be the trainers.

The training is accredited by the University of Wisconsin but space is limited - only 16 students maximum. It is appropriate for FCS and nutrition educators, innovative science and social science teachers, and schools with gardens.

For a full description of the training go to: http://www.thewhole plate.org/ teacher-training

July 25, 2010

National Food Policy Conference - Food Safety and Child Nutrition

This conference is coordinated by the Consumer Federation of America, in cooperation with the Grocery Manufacturers Association. It will focus on food safety and child nutrition, two issues that have become critical concerns in recent months both domestically and internationally. This year’s conference will explore food safety reform at the Food and Drug Administration, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act and children’s health. Speakers and panelists will explore the connections between health policy and nutrition, how to regain consumer trust once it has been lost, and the implications of new media technologies on policy making, among other issues.

When: September 22-23, 2010

Where: Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C.

For more information: www.signup4.net/public/ap.aspx?EID=NATI283E&OID=50

April 1, 2010

2009-2010 Conference Schedule for School Food Service Staff:

The following list of conferences is provided to assist school food authorities in scheduling professional development for staff this school year.  Please access the appropriate association’s website for further information; if no information is available, check back closer to the date of the event.

• July 11–14, 2010—School Nutrition Association’s Annual National Conference in Dallas, Texas (www.schoolnutrition.org)
• July 24–27, 2010—Society for Nutrition Education Annual Conference, Reno-Tahoe, Nevada (www.sne.org/conference/index.html)

Do not forget professional development opportunities are available online as well from the School Nutrition Association, National Foodservice Management Institute, and the National Restaurant Association.  Visit www.schoolnutrition.org, www.nfsmi.org, and www.nraef.org for further information.

June 1, 2009

These courses focus on basic skills food service assistants need in a child nutrition program. The four online courses are based on the four lessons of the On the Road to Professional Food Preparation Breakfast Lunch Training (BLT) module: Standardized Recipes, Weights and Measures, Portion Control, and Adjusting a Recipe. Click here for more information and to register. .

National Food Service Management Institute Training Resources

With the rising concern of food costs and food rationing, now more than ever portion control is important for your food service operation. Forecasting and serving the correct portion size will help to control the cost of food and prevent food waste.

Here is just one example of how portion control can save you money.
If serving 1⁄2 cup (No. 8 scoop) instead of 1⁄4 cup (No. 16 scoop) increases the cost of one serving only $.03, the serving cost of $.03 multiplied by 600 customers would increase the cost of one food item on the menu by $18.00 for one day. If this occurred just 75 days during a school year, the cost would increase to $1,350.00 per year. If this occurred 180 days (the average number of days per school year) the cost would increase to $3,240.00 per year.Do your employees know the correct serving sizes for the utensils used in your operation?

Check out On the Road to Professional Food Preparation and Basics at a Glance poster as possible training resources for your operation.

Grant Opportunities

Saucony Run for Good Grant Program

This is a national grant that encourages schools to create a school-based program that increase participation in running in order to improve the healthy and well being of students. Preference is given to programs that would serve youth who would not traditionally be exposed to running programs due to lack of resources or lack of safe running routes.

$10,000 will be awarded to ten schools. Applications are accepted twice a year in June and December. The 2009 Deadline has passed, check back for details for 2010. For more information go to: www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

IAHPERD (Illinois Association for Health, PE, Recreation and Dance) Program Enhancement Grant

This grant is for members of IAHPERD only and preference will be given to first time applicants. The proposed project must enhance, initiate, or continue an educational HPERD program. You can request a grant for up to $4000.00. Applicants must agree to present a summary of their outcomes to IAHPERD or write an article in the IAHPERD Journal within 3 years.

Applications are due September 1 and February 15 of each year. For details go to www.IAHPERD.org/textpages/grants/endowment.php.

April 3, 2009

GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards (high school only)

The Women’s Sports Foundation and The Gatorade Company want to recognize teams in high school that demonstrate leadership in their communities by inspiring girls to get involved in sports and physical activity.

Applicants must be a school team made up of girls in 9-12 grade. The team should select a Captain (Ambassador), create a service project that gets girls physically active in the community, enter the project online, and complete 3 short essay questions about the project (done by a team member).

20 grants will be awarded nationally worth $2500.00 payable to the school.

2009 Deadline has passed, check back for Details for 2010. . For details go to: www.GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards.

Other Yearly Grant Opportunities for Programs that Support Children's Health

Outdoor Classroom Grant Program – Deadline: Rolling

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper and the International Paper Foundation, and National Geographic Explorer classroom magazine are awarding grants to K-12 schools and/or districts for $2,000-$20,000 for new or enhancing existing outdoor classrooms, including fruit and vegetable gardens. See www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/outdoor/index.html for more information.

Websites to Check for Funding Opportunities that Support Student Wellness

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors provides a web page that consolidates funding opportunities aimed at improving chronic diseases. Page available at:
ttp://www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3574

Center for Health and Health Care in Schools - grant opportunities for schools are posted at: www.healthinschools.org

USDA Team Nutrition - this webpage lists sources of wellness funding for local wellness policy initiatives at: http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Healthy/wellnesspolicy_funding.html

Illinois NET Program KidsEatWell.org - we post current grant opportunities for Illinois schools on this page (What's New) so be sure and bookmark it!

Illinois NET Program Illinois Schools Can! electronic newsletter updates subscribers on new grant opportunities. Sign up to receive a copy at: http://www.kidseatwell.org/ASP/ISCNewsletterForm.asp