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Nutrition News
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July 29, 2008
New Healthy Counties Database
The National Association of Counties today announced the release of the Healthy Counties Database, a new resource containing more than 100 profiles of model policies, programs and initiatives that counties nationwide enacted to prevent childhood obesity. The database is designed to help county officials promote healthy living by improving the health of their environments. Each individual profile includes a brief description of the practice, county demographics, contact information, funding sources and additional resources. Today, obesity is one of the most urgent health concerns for our children. During the past four decades, obesity rates have soared among all age groups, increasing more than four times among children ages 6 to 11. Nearly one-third of all U.S. children and adolescents, more than 23 million, are either overweight or obese. County officials, as lead policy-makers at the local level, have a unique role to play in making it easier for children and families to make healthy choices. Many counties have begun developing initiatives to help children improve their health, and by accessing the Healthy Counties Database and connecting with peer leaders who have implemented model practices and policies, leaders can learn from each other’s successes. County-led efforts to prevent childhood obesity often go hand-in-hand with initiatives to support healthy populations and to create robust economies.
The profiles contained in the database therefore focus on a variety of topic areas, including some not traditionally considered health-related, such as zoning, economic development and agricultural sustainability. The benefits created by these types of model practices positively impact children’s access to healthy foods and physical activities. The Healthy Counties Database is available on NACo’s Web site at www.healthycounties.org/database. Support for the Healthy Counties Database is provided by Leadership for Healthy Communities, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
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July 18, 2008
School health fair planning tips
Health fairs are a good way to inform, entertain, and promote positive health practices. If your school wants to hold a health fair, the Internet offers some very useful planning resources. The following websites provide some good starting points. Remember to start early for the best results.
A Guide to Organizing and Promoting Your Health Fair, American Academy of Pediatrics
https://www.aap.org/family/healthfairkit.htm
Health Fair Planning Guide, Texas Cooperative Extension
http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/health_fair_planning_guide/index.php
Health Fair Guides, United Health Care
https://www.uhctools.com/page/hw_healthfairguides.jsp
To borrow free nutrition and health related resources, visit the Illinois Nutrition Loan Library at: www.kidseatwell.org.
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July 18, 2008
Schools receive more than $250,000 under federal fresh fruit and vegetable program
Twenty-five schools statewide will receive more than $250,000 to buy additional fresh fruits and vegetables for students during the 2008-2009 school year. The federally funded Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP) is designed to increase the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables by students.
The federal program provides all students in participating schools access to a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day.
More than 50 schools statewide applied for the program. Each school will be reimbursed on a monthly basis for allowable expenses up to the school’s total awarded amount.
For the State Board of Education press release on FFVP, go to:
http://www.isbe.net/news/2008/july10.htm
For a list of the 25 participating schools and a map their locations, go to:
http://www.isbe.net/nutrition/htmls/ffv_program.htm
For additional information on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, including nutritional tips and recipes for parents, go to:
Fruits & Vegetables – More Matters – http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/
USDA’s My Pyramid – http://www.mypyramid.gov/
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July 18, 2008
Coordinated Approach to Child Health Master’s Training Academy in Dekalb Approaching
On Tuesday, July 29 through Thursday, July 31st, 2008 a CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) Master's Training Academy will be held in DeKalb, Illinois. Approximately 15 individuals will be trained to assist with implementation training for the CATCH Program. The new trainers will be available to provide training directly to schools interested in or requesting to implement the CATCH Program. For additional information or if a school is interested in becoming a CATCH School, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health's Nutrition and Physical Activity/Obesity Program for more information at 217/782-3300.
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July 2, 2008
Healthier School Challenge update
As you enhance and improve your school lunch menus, you may consider applying for the Healthier US School Challenge. The criteria have been modified to reflect the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Schools submitting applications effective January 1, 2009, must use these new criteria. If you submit your application before January 1, 2009, you can use the current criteria.
For additional information, go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/Index.html
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July 2, 2008
NEW Resource Lists from USDA
The Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) has recently updated several resource lists. These are available in PDF from FNIC’s website at the following URL: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/resource_lists.shtml
Child Nutrition and Health
- Food and Nutrition Fun 2008
Ethnic/Cultural
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June 24, 2008
NEW Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report Released
On October 26, 2006, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced that the Department would develop comprehensive guidelines, drawn from science, to help Americans fit physical activity into their lives. The first step in the development of the Physical Activity Guidelines was the establishment of the independent Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, which was charged to review existing scientific literature to identify where there was sufficient evidence to develop a comprehensive set of specific physical activity recommendations.
The Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008 is now available. It is the product of the 13 member Advisory Committee and more than 30 additional consultants. You can access the report by clicking the Report link at http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/ . The 683 page report can be viewed or downloaded in its entirety or by individual chapter. The report presents and summarizes the Advisory Committee’s review of science relating physical activity to a variety of health outcomes. It also addresses the benefits of physical activity for particular subgroups of the population such as children and youth, pregnant and postpartum women, persons with disabilities, and individuals with some chronic conditions. The report will be a valuable resource for students, researchers, or anyone interested in the health benefits of physical activity. It provides the scientific basis for the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which is currently being developed by the Department of Health and Human Services for a planned fall 2008 launch.
You are invited to provide comments on the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008. We also welcome views, information and data relevant to the development of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The Committee's Report will not be amended in response to comments. However, all comments will be considered in the preparation of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Further details about providing comments can be found by clicking the Comments link at http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/ .
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June 3, 2008
ISBE & DHS honor schools, students and communities that won statewide healthy lifestyles challenge
32 elementary and middle schools took the Move & Crunch Challenge for Principals which stresses educating the entire student – mind and body
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) today honored three elementary schools for winning the state’s first Move & Crunch Challenge for Principals. In addition, 29 elementary and middle schools from across the state were also recognized for participating in the healthy lifestyles challenge during the month of March. The new initiative was aimed at helping schools create a healthy environment for students by encouraging principals and school communities statewide to ‘Move’ and ‘Crunch’ toward a healthier lifestyle.
“It’s encouraging to see all of the different and innovative things schools did to promote a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating – from student surveys on favored fruits and vegetables to test tasting opportunities,” said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. “I applaud the efforts of each school’s principal for being a role model leading the way to a healthier lifestyle for our students.”
This year’s Challenge winners are Woodrow Wilson School in East Peoria; Dieterich Elementary School in Dieterich; and Prairie Hill School in Cary. Each school posted the top score in the three enrollment categories of up to 250 students; 251 – 500 students; and 501 students or more. Each winning school received an award certificate and an $800 grant for health education school materials. In addition, all participating schools received a certificate of recognition and were recently recognized at the Illinois School Wellness from A to Z conference held in Decatur last month. More . . .
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May 19, 2008
Three Illinois Elementary Schools Move & Crunch to Success
The Move & Crunch Challenge was designed to assist elementary school staff in creating a school environment that supports student wellness. The purpose of the project was to encourage school community members to model healthy food choices and physical activity for students. Thirty-two elementary schools throughout Illinois participated in this fun contest for one week in March in an effort to improve wellness for children.
Three Illinois elementary schools were awarded $800 toward the purchase of nutrition education curriculum for submitting winning applications in the Move & Crunch Challenge. Winners are Woodrow Wilson School from East Peoria, Dieterich Elementary School from Dieterich and Prairie Hill School from Cary. Winning schools achieved the highest total combined scores for:
- student, school staff and parent participation in the Challenge;
- the principal’s success in meeting daily fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity recommendations; and
- additional activities planned to support Challenge goals.
Many supporting activities were planned by the winning schools. Families participated in physical education classes at Woodrow Wilson School, students and staff heard health messages over the intercom at Dieterich Elementary School and staff at Prairie Hill School implemented an All Staff Pedometer Challenge.
The Move & Crunch Challenge for Principals was coordinated by the Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program, in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education, Department of Human Services and the Illinois Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Project funding was provided by a 2006 USDA Team Nutrition Training Grant. If you would like to plan a similar event in your community, visit www.KidsEatWell.org/IllinoisSchoolsCan.html to download Move & Crunch resources.
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May 14, 2008
Upcoming Opportunities to Offer Recommendations for Improving
the Child Nutrition Programs
USDA will take two steps to obtain public recommendations for the 2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization, including (1) holding regional listening sessions and(2) requesting written public comments.
These will be important opportunities for anti-hunger, healthy eating, children's health and education advocates, service providers, program administrators and others to provide recommendations on improving access, meal quality and nutrition in the programs that are due for reauthorization, including the school breakfast and lunch, summer feeding, and afterschool and child and adult care food programs.
USDA will compile the results of the sessions and comments into a report for the coming Presidential Administration to use in the 2009 reauthorization of the Child Nutrition and WIC Programs.
The
USDA Request for Public Comment will be published in the Federal Register soon.
The comment period will most likely end October 15, 2008. A Midwest Region (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI)
listening session is being planned tentatively of the week of September 8th in Chicago.
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May 14, 2008
"Spending Your Calorie Salary - Youth Version" PowerPoint and Handout Available
This PowerPoint and handout from University of Nebraska Extension is designed for teens and tweens. It covers MyPyramid, portion distortion and balancing dietary choices.
LINK for downloading PowerPoint
RIGHT click on the link. A pop-up box should appear. Click on the option offered by your browser: Either "Save target as..." or "Save link as..."
LINK for downloading a related handout
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May 8, 2008
NEW! from Action for Healthy Kids - Tools to Engage Parents in School Wellness
Creating healthier schools requires the engagement and commitment of numerous stakeholders, especially in under served communities where multiple challenges confront millions of children and families every day. Recognizing parents as a largely untapped force for change in school wellness, Action for Healthy Kids has produced a Parents Advocating for School Wellness toolkit. MEE Productions, an organization regarded for its success in mobilizing parents in under served communities, provided valuable content and technical assistance with the development of this resource.
The toolkit is designed to help Action for Healthy Kids Teams and other school wellness advocates unlock the potential of parents as change agents and engage them as partners in support of healthier schools for their children. The Parents Advocating for School Wellness toolkit includes materials to help motivate and assist parents - particularly in urban communities - to move from awareness and caring to hands-on advocacy. This kit will help users:
- Understand how to cultivate parents as school wellness advocates, and how to connect with them and communicate effectively;
- Recruit parent advocates through community organizations and schools as well as by hosting a community informational event;
- Train parents on the importance of good nutrition and physical activity;
- Provide specific suggestions for how parents can work effectively with schools to promote wellness (based on successes of Action for Healthy Kids Teams); and
- Connect with community partners and schools.
Through this toolkit, parents and other caring adults can become better informed about the importance of school wellness and be motivated to promote school wellness in local schools and communities. The end goal: mobilizing family-school-community partnerships to make positive contributions to the health of students and schools.
Click here to download a copy of the Parents Advocating for School Wellness toolkit.
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May 8, 2008
Nutrikids Launches New Website and Parent Newsletters
Nutritkids has launched a new password-protected website for schools that use NutriKids software for school meals programs. The new website can handle secure online prepayments, item purchase history, interactive menu planning and nutrition education that's fun to help students, parents and staff make healthy choices for a better life.
MyTray is a colorful program that allows children and parents to build a virtual tray using fun and engaging nutrition information. This can help children evaluate their choices.
MyNutrition includes nutrition education tools to motivate the school community.
Another new service available is a new wellness newsletter, FitFuture, to help your district wellness team up with parents to promote good nutrition. The newsletter is in PDF format and can easily be distributed by email, uploaded to the district website, or printed on the back of menus.
For more information, visit www.nutrikids.com.
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May 8, 2008
Are You Willing to Take Action for Healthier Kids?
The National Dairy Council and local Dairy Council have teamed up with the National Football League to lead the revolution! You can order a FREE Wellness Activation Kit for your school. This kit will help your students make positive changes when it comes to their eating and exercise habits. It will also help your school achieve its wellness goals. Vehicles to deliver inspiring health messages, an entire nutrition and activity challenge program and creative downloadable tools are included.
To order your kit, hop online at www.SchoolWellnessKit.org. Kits will be shipped in September 2008.
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April 11, 2008
New Student Health and Academic Achievement web page
The CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) is pleased to announce the release of the Student Health and Academic Achievement web page. You can access the site at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/index.htm
The Student Health and Academic Achievement web page highlights the strong association between the academic success of America's youth and their health. Included is a link to the November 2007 JOSH article entitled Coordinated School Health Programs and Academic Achievement by Murray et al. The article examines evidence that school health program interventions that fit within the 8 components of the Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) model improve academic success among students.
Coming soon! The Student Health and Academic Achievement web page will have:
- One-page fact sheets highlighting significant associations between health-risk behaviors and academic grades based on YRBS data
- PowerPoint slides containing graphs of all the significant associations among health-risk behavior variables and academic grades based on YRBS data.
- Presentation slides and scripts on health and academic achievement.
Physical Activity and Education Achievement
http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/AJPH.2007.117176v1
Coordinated School Health and Achievement
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/pdf/CSHP_and_Academic_Achievement.pdf |
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April 11, 2008
AG Mag Materials and the Illinois Learning Standards
The AG Mag, developed by the Illinois Ag in the Classroom, is a new resource for teachers to use in for classroom activities and programs. Contact your local farm bureau to request packets of 30. AITC has 20 different ag mag - apples, pumpkins, dairy, corn, soybeans and more. Go to www.agintheclassroom.org and view the variety of activities and resources available.
http://www.agintheclassroom.org/060605/Teachers/Printable/agmags/Nutriti
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March 31, 2008
New Wellness Resource
A new publication from the School Nutrition Association provides inspiration and practical ideas for all in the school community who are committed to fostering healthy eating habits in children. Well Done! School Nutrition Professionals Put Wellness Policies to Work is a booklet of motivational tales of how school nutrition directors are meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities presented by local school wellness policies.
School nutrition professionals from districts of all sizes and all across the country share experiences relating to gaining support from principals, teachers, parents and students; establishing cafeteria-based nutrition education programs; finding products to meet new nutrition standards; developing staff wellness programs and making operational changes. Visit the SNA website for more information: www.schoolnutrition.org/Index.aspx?id=2787
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March 15, 2008
Step Up Illinois School Meals Launched!
The Step Up Illinois School Meals website will help school nutrition staff plan, prepare and promote school meals that demonstrate the Dietary Guidelines. The website was developed by the Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program in collaboration with the Illinois School Nutrition Association, Action for Kids-Illinois and the Illinois State Board of Education.
The website provides:
- sample menus that meet Dietary Guidelines principles,
- ready-to-go promotion plans,
- funding opportunities
- nutrition education materials, and
- food preference surveys.
Visit the website at www.kidseatwell.org/stepup.html
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Mar 11, 2008
Kids Have a New Destination for Fun on the Internet
There is an exciting new addition to the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) website family, FoodChamps.org! This a tailored site for children. “Our new website, FoodChamps.org, gives us the opportunity to interact directly with children and show them fruits and veggies can be fun,” said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of PBH. “The games and activities found on the site are age appropriate and designed to educate children about fruits and vegetables and encourage them to eat more.”
The site is designed for children ages two through eight years old. While on the site, children can have fun with fruit and vegetable math, play a fruit and veggie matching game, and even print out recipes to cook with an adult helper.
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March 6, 2008
Nutritionists, Educators, and Community Groups!
The Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ web site for Educators has been revamped with YOU in mind! The updated Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ for Educators site is full of new features. It is now easier than ever to find updated and new resources, ideas on how to use them, and ready-to-go tools to use in conjunction with Power Panther visits.
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March 4, 2008
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans - Fact Sheets For Healthier School Meals
"Use Low-fat Milk, Cheese, and Yogurt" is the first of a series of nine fact sheets developed for use by school foodservice professionals in planning healthier school meals.
Download PDF |
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February 27, 2008
New Child and Adult Care Food Program Resources
For information on how to plan healthy meals in the childcare setting, be sure to check out these resources:
Menus for Childcare, NFSMI - Menus for Child Care offers 8 complete weekly menus, including breakfast, lunch or supper, and snack meeting the CACFP Meal Pattern requirements for 3-5 year olds. These healthful and appealing menus can be used as cycle menus offering variety and moderation for balanced nutrition in the child care setting. The menus include nutrient analysis and crediting information. Published 2008
Montana Toolkit - This toolkit was designed for participants of the Montana Child and Adult Care Food Program; although the information is helpful to any childcare provider. The menus (5 weeks of breakfast, lunch and one snack), with accompanying recipes and resources, are provided to assist childcare providers in serving healthy meals which are cost effective, easy to prepare, and appealing to children.
Sample CACFP Menus to Meet 2005 Dietary Guidelines - This three week sample menu from the Iowa Department of Education demonstrates 2005 Dietary Guidelines principles.
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February 27, 2008
Get with the Program!
The Women's Sports Foundation is delighted to announce the return of its GoGirlGo! Program! Check out what's new with GoGirlGo! and help get 1 million girls physically active.
- New national award-winning healthy behavior program for third-to eighth-graders
- New national award-winning leadership and healthy behavior program for high school students
- More than $1 million available in grants!
For more information visit www.GoGirlGo.com
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January 23, 2008
NEW Online Toolkit Available
Action for Healthy Kids has launched an expanded version of Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge! Originally, introduced as a one day event in 2006, Action for Healthy Kids has revamped the program. Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge is now a year long program that challenges youth, their families and schools to incorporate healthy food choices and physical activity into their daily lives.
The new online toolkit, is now available through the Action for Healthy Kids website; click here to access the online toolkit directly.
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January 16, 2008
New Tool to Help Schools Choose Health Education Curriculum and Programs
The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) can help school districts, schools, and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the National Health Education Standards and CDC’s Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula. The HECAT results can help schools select or develop appropriate and effective health education curricula and improve the delivery of health education. The HECAT can be customized to meet local community needs and conform to the curriculum requirements of the state or school district.
The following HECAT health topic modules are currently available:
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Healthy Eating
- Physical Activity
- Tobacco
Additional modules will be added as they are completed.
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December 27, 2007
Fundraising Report Available
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has published a report - Sweet Deals: School Fundraising can be Healthy and Profitable - that discusses the pros and cons of a number of different school fundraisers. This report has contact information for over 60 fundraising companies with healthy options. You can find it at: http://www.cspinet.org/new/pdf/schoolfundraising.pdf
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
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August 18, 2008
School-Based Child Nutrition Programs offer basic training
ISBE is holding nine School-Based Child Nutrition Programs basic training workshops from July 16 through September 4. The workshops are designed for food service employees, business managers or school administrators who work with School-Based Child Nutrition Programs.
The one-day workshops are free of charge. For a list of dates and places and to register for a workshop, go to: www.isbe.net/nutrition/htmls/workshops.htm.
Scroll to NSLP-Basic Training and then click on the Basic Training workshop for the location you wish to attend. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
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August 18, 2008
National food safety education month tackles food allergens
September marks the 14th annual National Food Safety Education Month (NFSEM). This year's theme is "Take Action to Prevent an Allergic Reaction.”
The National Restaurant Association Solutions encourages restaurant and food service operators to begin planning for the month-long safety campaign. This year will focus on the importance of food safety education for the restaurant and food service industry, while raising awareness of the industry's commitment to food safety.
As part of this educational effort, there are free weekly training activities and free posters and promotional pieces that reinforce the theme, “Take Action to Prevent an Allergic Reaction.”
September's five weekly themes are:
● Know the Common Food Allergens
● Communication with the Customer
● Avoiding Cross-Contact
● When Mistakes Happen
● Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction
Industry professionals are encouraged to take part in the food safety education. The free educational materials and training activities are available for download at www.nraef.org/nfsem. Previous years' activities are also available on the website.
For more information on how to get involved in NFSEM, call 312-715-1010, ext. 712.
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May 14, 2008
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.
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April 14, 2008
Healthy Meals, Healthy Students- Implementing the 2005 Dietary Guidelines at Your School!
This new workshop was developed to help schools to design menus that are more in line with the recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines, Healthier US Challenge, and current research. We will also tie the healthy recommendations together with how to successfully complete your School Meals Initiative (SMI) Reviews. Participants will learn about current nutrition research, trends, and practical tips on how they can implement healthy options in to their schools menus. Pre-registration is required; please visit www.isbe.net/nutrition/htmls/workshops.htm.
Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and the workshop is from 8 a.m. until noon.
*June 26—Fairview Hts. - July 10—Lombard - August 27, 2008—Springfield
*School Food Safety Plan, the Process Approach to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Principles (HACCP) is an optional workshop offered in the afternoon. See the description above; you must register separately.
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February 27, 2008
Online Professional Development Training Available for Educators
A number of online graduate courses related to school wellness are available for teachers and school personnel through Framingham State College like:
- Using Nutrition & Physical Activity Messages in Middle School Curriculum
- Body Mass Index as a Weight Assessment Tool in School
- Preventing Eating Disorders in Schools
- Winning Sports Nutrition for Children and Adolescents
You can earn professional development units for each graduate credit received.
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February 18, 2008
The Breakfast Lunch Training (BLT) Module, Nutrition 101: A Taste of Food and Fitness, provides a basic overview of nutrition for school staff. The module incorporates a variety of learning activities to engage participants on a personal level. The learning objectives for each lesson are achieved through completion of all lesson components. Lessons are designed to be completed within 30 minutes. A new lesson on diet decisions has been just been added to this training series.
For more information and to download lessons, visit: http://www.nfsmi.org/Information/blt2005index.htm
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November 27, 2007
Professional Development Opportunity for School/District Wellness Teams
The Center for Ecoliteracy and Teachers College Columbia University (TC) announce two five-day professional development institutes:
June 23-27 in Berkeley, California
August 9-13 in New York, New York
The institutes are designed to support teams from schools and districts that want to create learning connections between the school food environment and curriculum in the classroom. The institutes are part of the CEL–TC joint project supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
The institutes are grounded in CEL's Rethinking School Lunch planning framework and in the Linking Food and the Environment (LiFE) Curriculum Series for science and nutrition education. Developed by Teachers College, LiFE features inquiry-based activities that integrate the study of food, food systems, and environmental and personal health.
Teams participating in the institutes will develop specific implementation plans for their schools or districts, applying the RSL planning framework and the LiFE curriculum. The institutes will include seminars on the latest research in nutrition and sustainable education, how-to sessions with leading practitioners, field trips to regional farms and schools engaged in rethinking school food, and opportunities to share experiences and to model the practices of a learning community.
For a more detailed description please see the attached document.
Applications are available online at http://www.ecoliteracy.org/seminars/rfhe-pdinstitute.html
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Grant Opportunities
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June 24, 2008
Consider Applying for 2009 Youth Garden Grant
The National Gardening Association plans to award 125 Youth Garden Grants ($250.00 to $1,000 value) to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. Evaluation will be based on one or more of the following elements:
- educational focus or curricular/program integration
- nutrition or plant-to-food connections
- environmental awareness/education
- entrepreneurship
- social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning.
Who should apply: Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years. Application deadline (postmark date): November 1, 2008. For further information, visit
http://www.kidsgardening.com/ygg.asp
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May 5, 2008
Expanding Breakfast Awards
Midwest Dairy Council and St. Louis Dairy Council are providing Expanding Breakfast Awards in Illinois. A total of $6,000 will be awarded to schools in which Expanding Breakfast (i.e. an alternate breakfast service) is currently offered. Alternate breakfast could be breakfast in the classroom, "Grab and Go" or Breakfast after First Period, Delayed or "Second Chance Breakfast".
To apply, please visit your local Dairy Council website at www.midwestdairy.com or www.stldairycouncil.org.
Schools that have offered expanded breakfast option(s) for at least 3 months are encouraged to apply. Awards are provided to individual schools; more than one school per district may apply. Applications must be postmarked by Friday, November 14, 2008.
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April 5, 2008
Applications are currently available for the second annual Winston Equipment Award for SNA members
Through this award, Winston Industries is awarding 10 pieces of equipment to one school district in need of improving its school meal kitchen equipment for schools in that district. Equipment received from this award may include holding cabinets, holding drawers, steamer, cook and holds, therm and holds and display cabinets.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be a member of the School Nutrition Association (SNA) for a minimum of 1 (one) year.
- Applicants must be the person responsible for directing the school nutrition program of the school district.
For an application please visit the following: http://docs.schoolnutrition.org/files/WinstonIndustriesEquipmentAward.doc
Award applications must be postmarked by September 5, 2008. Late proposals will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed and the award recipient announced in the first week of November 2008.
Please contact the School Nutrition Foundation at snf@schoolnutrition.org for any questions regarding the Winston Equipment Award.
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April 3, 2008
Grant Opportunities for Programs that Support Children's Health
2008 Healthy Sprouts Awards – Deadline: 10/15/08
Funding and supplies are available for a youth garden program for 20 schools with children between the ages of 3 and 18. Projects must incorporate nutrition education and educate children about hunger in the United States. Applications are available online at www.kidsgardening.com/healthysprouts.asp.
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.
Albertson’s Corporate Contributions Program – Deadline: Rolling
Albertson’s provides funding for youth and education and health and nutrition programs for schools within areas of operation, including Jewel/Osco stores. To view eligibility requirements, visit www.albertsons.com/abs_inthecommunity/default.asp.
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November 19, 2007
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: http://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 - his 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 - 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
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November 12, 2007
GOT Breakfast Grant Opportunity.
The "Got breakfast?" Foundation provides grants to school districts interested in serving classroom breakfast. Studies have shown that Classroom Breakfast raises test scores, reduces health issues and doubles, and in some cases triples, participation numbers in the Federal School Breakfast program. We hope that these grants will serve as a catalyst for providing classroom breakfasts throughout the country and in the process help the millions of students who qualify for a free or reduced-price breakfast receive the most important meal of the day. For more information on obtaining a grant, please call 866-786-9028.
"Got Breakfast?" grants were awarded to Namaste Charter School of Chicago, Maple Elementary School of Love's Park and Nokomis Junior and Senior High School in Nokomis, Illinois this year.
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November 12, 2007
School Breakfast Grant Opportunity Available
School Breakfast Start-Up Grants are available up to $3,500 to begin a school breakfast program. Visit http://www.isbe.net/nutrition/htmls/breakfast_state.htm to download the simple application. Do not delay, apply today.
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