Washoe Country School District

May 25, 2012

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OCTOBER IS AN EXCITING TIME!

Join us as we celebrate National School Lunch Week, National Food Day, and National Farm to School Month in our schools. See our October activities and events below.

What is National Food Day?

"Food Day's goal is nothing less than to transform the American diet."

Food Day will be October 24—in 2011 and in years to come. Food Day seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life—parents, teachers, and students; health professionals, community organizers, and local officials; chefs, school lunch providers, and eaters of all stripes—to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. We will work with people around the country to create thousands of events in homes, schools, churches, farmers markets, city halls, and state capitals.

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) are the Honorary Co-Chairs for Food Day 2011, and the day is sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the nonprofit watchdog group that has led successful fights for food labeling, better nutrition, and safer food since 1971. Like CSPI, Food Day will be people-powered and does not accept funding from government or corporations—though restaurants, supermarkets, and others are certainly encouraged to observe Food Day in their own ways.

Food Day is backed by an impressive advisory board that includes anti-hunger advocates, physicians, authors, politicians, and leaders of groups focused on everything from farmers markets to animal welfare to public health. But the most important ingredient in Food Day is you—we invite you to participate in a local event in Washoe County and nearby, to help make Food Day a success!

What is Farm to School Month?

October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate the connections that are happening all over the country between schools and local food!

In November 2010, Congress approved a resolution introduced by Representative Rush Holt (NJ) to officially designate October as National Farm to School Month. The passage of House Resolution 1655 demonstrates the growing importance and role of Farm to School programs as a means to improve child nutrition, support local economies and educate children about the origins of food. Learn more about Farm to School here.

But whether you are a food service professional, a farmer, a teacher or a food-loving family, there are plenty of ways to celebrate and get involved. Visit the Farm to School Month resource page for a list of ideas and other materials to help you spread the word in your community. The national events page has a list of celebrations taking place all over the country! Visit the contact page to find a program in your area or to connect with advocates working on the national level.

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST

Participants not be required to purchase anything, pay a fee or give any other consideration to be eligible for a prize.

FACULTY/STAFF RECIPE CONTEST

Judging will be based on nutritional content, flavor/taste, visual appeal.

Participants not be required to purchase anything, pay a fee or give any other consideration to be eligible for a prize.

What is National School Lunch Week?

"This year’s theme, “School Lunch – Let’s Grow Healthy,” focuses on teaching children where food comes from and the importance of a nutritious lunch at school. As we recognize National School Lunch Week, I would like to thank everyone who supports our children by working in our school cafeterias and in Nutrition Services. Your efforts to keep our children healthy and strong are an essential part of their success in the classroom. Thank you for all that you do for our children." -Dr. Heath Morrison, Superintendent

Let’s Grow Healthy! National School Lunch Week was October 10-14 and this year’s theme, “School Lunch—Let’s Grow Healthy,” helps children understand where food comes from while learning that eating a nutritious school lunch helps them grow strong and healthy.

Serving nearly 31 million children every school day, the federally funded National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides nutritionally balanced low-cost and free meals to students. The program requires school meals to meet federal nutrition standards. Dietary guidelines dictate:

No more than 30 percent of calories can come from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat.
Over the course of one week, lunches must provide 1/3 of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories.
Well-balanced school lunches must include protein, fruits and vegetables, grains and lowfat milk and be served in age appropriate portions.

A school lunch tray always has age-appropriate portions and includes a healthy balance of fruits and vegetables, grains, protein and milk. Encourage your children to fill their lunch trays (and then eat!) following the MyPlate guidelines:

Make half your plate/lunch tray fruits and vegetables.
Make at least half your grains whole grains.
Switch to fat-free or lowfat (1%) milk

Get Involved! Learn about school lunch at www.traytalk.org or http://www.schoolnutrition.org. Learn more about the WCSD Parent/Community Wellness Committee by calling the Nutrition Services office at (775) 353-5930.