Posted October 30, 2009
TO HELP PARENTS understand the new program and guidelines the state department created a Web page for Smarter Foods Smart Kids. The link can be found at dominionpost.com.
Gone are the days of mystery meat, sugary sweets and high-fat treats in lunches served in West Virginia schools.
The West Virginia Department of Education is kicking off a new campaign, Smarter Foods Smart Kids, designed to get more fresh fruits and vegetables in school lunches and snacks.
“It’s very important schools set the example,” said Mollie Wood, assistant director of the state office of childhood nutrition.
When kids are introduced to fresh fruits and vegetables in schools, Wood said they often go home and ask their parents for the same foods. By introducing healthy food at lunch, they hope nutritious meals spill over to children’s homes.
The campaign was launched at a statewide conference held recently in Morgantown.
Wood said the policy actually changed a year ago, but the state gave people time to review it and give their input. Last week, new guidelines were officially introduced.
Monongalia County Schools Coordinator of Nutritional Services Karen Ghiardi said she likes the new campaign.
In local schools Ghiardi said students are excited to have the chance to eat the fresh fruits and vegetables. They are trying to give students meals that are rich in nutrients and aren’t empty calories.
“We’re trying to focus on providing kids a balanced meal,” Ghiardi said.
Several schools offer salad bars with fresh fruits and vegetables available to the students. They also only serve 1 percent fat or skim milk.
Ghiardi said by providing the nutritious meals, they are giving the students access to foods they might not get at home.
Another part of the campaign is informing parents about what they can send with their child to school for various class events. It is more difficult to protect kids from food allergies and from high calorie foods when they are sent as snacks, Wood said.
The new policy requires parents to send foods that meet the guidelines. They are also requiring parents to send in packaged goods so the ingredients are known.
“We want to make sure we’re protecting kids,” Wood said.
As part of the conference, a tailgate was held where state officials showed the nutritionists the different ways classes can have fun with the approved foods, Wood said.
Ghiardi said she doesn’t mind limiting what parents can send in with their students. They are trying to turn the focus away from food-centered activities.
“You don’t have to have food to have fun,” Ghiardi said.
The campaign kickoff comes on the heels of a report by the Institute of Medicine calling for more fruits and vegetables in school lunches. Ghiardi said it goes to show West Virginia is ahead of the curve in trying to provide nutritious meals to students.
Date: Oct 25, 2009
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Copyright © 2009, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.