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USDA Kicks Off National School Lunch Week
As part of National School Lunch Week, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack recently traveled to select schools nationwide that have made efforts “to improve school nutrition, combat childhood obesity, and encourage healthy lifestyles” under the department’s Healthier US School Challenge, according to a USDA news release. Since launching in 2004, the Healthier US School Challenge has recognized nearly 600 elementary schools for their efforts to “voluntarily exceed existing standards by providing healthier food choices, nutrition education, and physical activity,” according to a release. For such efforts, the USDA awards these schools Gold of Distinction, Gold, Silver and Bronze status for creating healthier school environments. For example, during a recent visit to West Elementary School in Knoxville, Iowa, Vilsack praised the school for achieving Gold status for its efforts to improve student wellness by “providing healthier food choices, nutrition education, and physical activity.” Vilsack noted that the “USDA is committed to promoting nutrition standards and providing our children well-balanced, healthy meals during their school day.” He added that “lunches provided by the National School Lunch Program are a vital resource that help children develop healthy eating and lifestyle choices that will be with them for a lifetime” (AP/WREG, 10/12/09; USDA release, 10/12/09).