Shelton Schools Recognized For Healthy Meals

Shelton schools have been recognized by the federal government for providing healthy school meals and promoting physical education.

The HealthierUS School Challenge” awards are a way for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to recognize schools that have created healthier school environments through improvements in the quality of school meals while providing both nutrition and physical education to promote healthy lifestyles.

The USDA has awarded the winners for school year 2011 – 2012, which include awarding the Bronze HealthierUS School Challenge Award Level to the following Shelton Schools: Shelton High School, Shelton Intermediate School, Perry Hill Elementary School, Booth Hill Elementary School, Long Hill Elementary School, Mohegan Elementary School, Elizabeth Shelton Elementary School and Sunny Side Elementary School.

Less than 6 percent of the nation’s eligible schools have earned this distinction.

This recognition is the product of a yearlong effort between Shelton administration and staff which includes food service director Linda Stanisci, food service personnel, many additional school staff and the School Nutrition Association, which provides assistance and resources to assist individual school districts improve performance.

Achieving this award reiterates the Shelton Public Schools’ food services team’s commitment to promoting a healthy school environment for its students. 

In order to qualify for the Bronze award, Shelton Public Schools had to demonstrate the school meets all the HUSSC nutritional requirements on an on-going basis, serving a variety of healthier foods that appeal to the students, planning meals that emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products; and that include lean proteins and foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

Furthermore, the school was required to prove its compliance with nutrition education, wellness, and the physical activity criteria of the HUSSC according to age group.

The award ceremony took place at the Second Annual School Breakfast Summit in East Hartford on April 26.

USDAs Food and Nutrition Service Regional Administrator, James Arena-DeRosa, was on hand to present the HealthierUS awards, a commemorative plaque, HUSSC banners, and a check for $4,000 to the school district.

The HUSSC is a key component in Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move!” campaign and has also helped prepare schools to implement the meal pattern changes developed by the USDA for nation-wide implementation starting school year 2012 – 1013.

For more details on the USDAS HeathierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) visit: www.teamnutrition.usda.gov.

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