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HealthierUS School Challenge to Expand to Middle, High Schools
The Obama administration has announced plans to expand the HealthierUS School Challenge to include middle and high schools, the McPherson Sentinel reports. Established in 2004, the challenge was launched to recognize and support elementary schools that promote good nutrition and physical activity to create healthier school environments. Announcing the plans, first lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, noted that "we must take steps to ensure that all kids have access to nutritious meals, nutrition education and physical education so that they can lead healthy, productive lives." She added that "by expanding the HealthierUS Schools program, more children will have access to a brighter future." In addition to expanding the program, the USDA has announced plans to create an "Adopt-a-School" program under which schools that have achieved HealthierUS School designation can assist neighboring schools as they seek to establish or enhance their health and nutrition programs. To aid in the effort, the USDA has posted a toolkit on how to become a HealthierUS School on its Food and Nutrition Services Web site (McPherson Sentinel, 10/21/09).