USDA Awards $8 Million for Healthier Food in Schools and Child Care Centers

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak announced that the USDA will award $2.6 million to support the new national professional standards for nutrition employees who manage and operate school lunch and breakfast programs in 19 states, and will award $5.6 million to help 19 states expand and enhance food service training programs and provide nutrition education in school, child care, and summer meal settings through the Team Nutrition Training Grant.

The goal is to develop an educated workforce and sustainable programs to create healthy environments in order to improve children’s lifelong eating and physical activity habits.  States receiving Team Nutrition grants identify that many children in childcare enjoy healthier meals, and along with their parents and caregivers, are exposed to current, relevant, and fun nutrition information and activities.

Although nearly 95% schools meet the nutrition standards required in the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act, many schools have identified financial and logistical barriers to meeting these standards.  Schools and child care centers in Latino and disadvantaged neighborhoods, in particular, face numerous barriers.

In order to reduce Latino childhood obesity, it is important to provide nutrition employees in child care centers and schools in Latino and disadvantaged neighborhoods with resources and training to create healthy environments and expose children to current and relevant nutrition information.  When kids have access to nutritious foods in child care centers, they have a better chance of beginning kindergarten at a healthy weight.

Read this USDA news release.