Forty Connecticut schools honored for nutritional excellence
Getting students to eat healthier foods at school is challenging, but thanks in part to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) program, 40 Connecticut schools are making the grade.
The Connecticut schools joined 1,504 schools across the country that are certified as HUSSC schools for creating healthier schools by making changes to their National School Lunch Program. Some of the changes include improving the quality of food served, providing students with nutrition education, and opportunities for physical education and activities.
Only one percent of the schools across the country have been certified as HUSSC schools for creating a healthier school setting.
Six New London schools received the top honor—USDA’s Silver Award—entitling each school to a $1,000 prize.
Another 34 Connecticut schools in Norwalk, Pawcatuck, Stamford, Stonington, Weston, Wilton, and West Hartford were honored with Bronze Awards, which come with a $500 prize for each school.
In a press release, State Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor said the HUSSC encourages schools to strengthen their focus on nutrition, healthy eating, and physical activity during the school day. Pryor said the program spotlights and recognizes schools that emphasize wellness by promoting a school environment that supports students’ health and learning.
Bronze Award schools must be enrolled as a Team Nutrition School, offer reimbursable lunches that demonstrate the principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and meet USDA nutrition standards, provide nutrition education to students, provide students opportunities to engage in physical activity, adhere to guidelines established by the FNS for all foods served/sold in schools, and implement a local wellness policy.
Silver Award schools must meet all of the bronze requirements and maintain an average daily participation for reimbursable lunches of at least 60 percent (of school enrollment) for elementary and middle schools and at least 45 percent (of school enrollment) for high schools.
Click here for a complete list of Connecticut’s HUSSC Bronze and Silver Award Winners
The HUSSC is a voluntary national certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. It supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. These goals have a clear link to improved student achievement outcomes such as increased attendance, improved standardized test scores, and better classroom behavior.
To learn more about the program or to download an application, visit the USDA website.
