Photo courtesy of WCPSS Child Nutrition Services.

On Jan. 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled new standards for school meals at schools across the nation--the first changes in more than 15 years. They are designed to improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day.
 

According to USDA, "The final standards make the same kinds of practical changes that many parents are already encouraging at home, including:

• Ensuring students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week;
• Substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods;
• Offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties;
• Limiting calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size; and
• Increasing the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium."

This before/after sample menu illustrates the changes, and this chart shows servings by grade level.

USDA received a 132,000 public comments on its proposed standards during a 90-day review period and made some modifications as a result. Some argue the changes do not go far enough; Suzanne Havala Hobbs, DrPH, MS, RD, wrote in a News & Observer article last week that "...lobbying by the food industry was effective in thwarting limits that USDA tried to place on fresh fries and pizza."
 

Read how WCPSS Child Nutrition Services Director Marilyn Moody says Wake County measures up to the changes.

What about snacks sold at schools? 

 Lunch In:

 Local Foods in Wake County Schools

Public schools in Wake County currently participate in the NC Farm to School Program, which provides students with North Carolina grown produce during the school year (per this schedule) in the cafeteria. AHA would like to see the amount of local foods served in schools increase across the county. Farmers that participate in the Farm to School Program must be GAP-certified (good agricultural practices), which is an expensive process.

While AHA continues to advocate for funding for more farmers to participate, we also have initiated the Lunch In series: an Iron Chef-style competition where two local chefs battle it out in a school kitchen to serve a winning healthy lunch creation featuring a local, seasonal ingredient.

While the chefs are cooking in the kitchen, students and families visit a number of interactive and educational booths where they have an opportunity to sample healthy local foods, gather healthy meal ideas, learn about growing their own foods and participate in fun food-related activities.

Learn more about the AHA toolkit that soon will help schools plan their own Lunch In events and about Lunch In at Wake Forest Elementary and Mills Park Elementary in Cary. 

How Green Is Your Thumb? Come to Dig In!

This year's program features workshop in two tracks--one for those who want to start a garden and one for those who are ready to take their garden to the next level. Plus, all registrants will take part in a hands-on Garden to Table cooking session and enjoy a sample of garden-fresh foods!  

Eggplant growing at Cary's Pocket Community Garden.

Schools, churches, neighborhoods, community groups and nonprofit organizations can connect people with where their food comes from and, of course, enjoy healthy, fresh foods at home or wherever they garden!

Get all the details on the agenda, urban farming experts, educational booths and registration at AHA's web site.

AHA fosters and supports community efforts to make healthy eating and physical activity the way of life in Wake County. Simply put, we are working to make the healthy choice the easy choice!    

Coming in March...

A challenge is coming your way in March...

That's right. AHA invites you to take the Healthy Brown Bag Challenge March 26-30 in celebration of National Nutrition Month®! 
 

Look for details soon on:

1) signing up and

2) the tools to plan a great week of healthy brown bag (or fancy insulated bag) lunches!

This is for you--not for the kids! Not only will you eat well, but you'll save money too!

On the Go...
Get Ready for Spring
Walks & Runs!