The Office of Food and Nutrition Services has been awarded the 2010 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Best Practice Award for Promoting a Healthy School Environment. Best Practice Awards encourage and reward outstanding practices in schools and school nutrition programs. Entries are judged at the state level and the winners are submitted to USDA to compete against other state winners in the southeast region.            

Promotion of a healthy school environment starts with our district wellness policy. Our wellness policy addresses wellness for students and staff with emphasis on creating a school environment that promotes and protects children’s health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity. A component of our wellness policy is nutrition education, which is provided through curriculum such as OrganWise Guys and Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH).  The Organ Wise Guys core curriculum was implemented in 58 elementary schools. Food and Nutrition Services partnered with the County Extension Office to provide district wide training and support to the faculty. School wide assemblies and classroom lessons utilize a fun cast of characters for students to learn the science behind nutrition. CATCH combines nutrition in the classroom and cafeteria, physical education, and family involvement.  District wide our menus incorporate “GO, SLOW and WHOA” to help students make healthier choices. Our Food Services website provides nutritional and allergen information to help guide students, families and staff in menu selections. Our nutrition education link provides individualized fruit and vegetable lessons, nutrition activities, school gardens, wellness books and additional website links.             

Student Wellness Advisory Councils (SWAC) have been established in 4 elementary schools. Through student led activities they promote positive wellness messages. SWAC members have taught younger students CATCH activities, created bulletin boards, promote school breakfast and lunch, held discussions on wellness, provided community service, supported wellness nights, and hosted assemblies and speakers.  Jupiter Elementary implemented the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program this past school year. Students were provided with a fresh fruit and vegetable snack three times per week and nutrition education to enhance learning. Through nutrition education they are able to learn about what they are eating and to encourage students to try new foods. Students have practiced reading and math skills, along with recognition of healthy snacks.  For the 2010-2011 school year Cambridge Elementary was awarded the grant, and will operate this program five days a week.  School gardens were started in 13 elementary schools this past year growing lettuce, basil, carrots, radishes, tomatoes and green beans. School gardens have allowed for a school wide learning laboratory. Classroom lessons have incorporated school gardens into math, science, reading, nutrition and health lessons.   Nutrition promotion takes place throughout the school year with family wellness nights, providing puppet shows and nutrition lessons.  For the 2009-2010 school year over 8,000 hours of nutrition education was documented using nutrition curriculum and student wellness groups. Daily our schools offer a healthy choice and vegetarian entrée, a variety of fruits and vegetables and whole grain products. Cafeteria promotions take place during Florida School Breakfast Week and National School Breakfast and Lunch Week. Through these initiatives we are promoting healthy lifestyles and creating a healthy school environment.