| Categories |
Use fundraising activities and rewards; Resources used; Limit student access to competitive foods; Adopt marketing techniques to promote healthful choices; Nutrition policies and standards; Staff wellness; Establish nutrition standards for competitive foods; Make more healthful foods and beverages available |
| Problem Overview |
- 7,853 students in North Dakota’s third largest city
- 27 percent of students eligible for free and reduced-price school meals
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| Program/Activity Description |
As a first step in developing the school nutrition policy, the Team Nutrition group brought together educators (from elementary, secondary, and university levels), school nurses, school administrators, food service personnel, health care providers, parents, and students. They used CDC’s School Health Index as a tool to conduct an in-depth assessment of the status of health policies and programs in the school district. The process helped the district target nutrition and fitness priorities.
At Ben Franklin Elementary School, the fruits and vegetables only policy sprang from a newsletter article written by a dietitian from the Grand Forks Public Health Department. The idea was embraced at Ben Franklin Elementary School, where it was presented at a staff in-service and as an all-school in-service to children (including a skit and taste-testing). All parents received letters orienting them to the changes. All staff received in-service on the guideline and all students have the opportunity to taste-test fruits and vegetables.
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| Program/Activity Outcome |
- On January 27, 2003, the Grand Forks School Board passed board policy 6175 on Nutrition Education Practices. The goal of the policy, first introduced to the board in 2000, is to assure that school nutrition environments in Grand Forks are in line with health messages being taught in classrooms. It calls on school administrators to monitor fundraising activities and for school personnel to serve as role models for healthy lifestyles.
- In March 2003, the first annual community Nutrition Fair was held at South Middle School. Vendors supplied products for tasting that followed nutrition guidelines set by the child nutrition staff. During the fair, cook managers held focus group discussions on school menu items. Educational and wellness booths were set up by area educators and health providers. About 250 people attended the fair, including school staff, families, and students. The Nutrition Fair is now an annual event.
- In fall 2003, 10 soft drink machines were removed from the district’s two large high schools. Only two machines remain on each high school campus.
- The nutrition policy helped inspire the principal at Central High School, Dr. Jeff Schatz, to make substantial improvements in his school's nutrition environment. He removed all the school’s candy machines. The School Store underwent a “snack makeover,” based on research and presentations by its high school marketing class. The store removed all candy and added peanuts, gum, breath mints, and baked chips.
- Dr. Schatz challenged staff and students to find creative ways to fundraise without selling candy bars and other non-nutritive foods, which they did.
- Dr. Schatz reported that he had no negative response from staff or students on these changes.
- Mr. Jim Stenehjem, Principal of Red River High School, removed 50% of the school’s vending machines.
- The Child Nutrition Program purchased milk and deli machines, offering healthy options for both high schools.
- Wellness classes for district staff also began in the fall 2003, offering college credits for teachers. The child nutrition director, health department dietitian, and staff from the University of North Dakota coordinated a series of classes in physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Class attendance has exceeded the expectations of the coordinators.
- Ben Franklin Elementary School adopted an all-school classroom snack policy of “fruits or vegetables” only. Implementing the policy included: an all-staff in-service, an all student in-service with fruit and vegetable taste-testing, and parent letters orienting all parties to the rationale and importance of the policy. This policy has been well received by all involved and is now accepted school practice.
- Ben Franklin’s student Team Nutrition group, the Sunny Side Ups, promoted the selling of milk, bottled water, and baby carrots at extra-curricular school events. Since only soft drinks were sold previously, this effort helped make healthful choices the norm, and it also increased revenue from the fundraising events.
- In fall 2003, Public Health Department dietitians used a Midwest Dairy Council grant to begin a parent-teacher organization (PTO) campaign encouraging schools to serve milk at extracurricular school events. The effort also included presentations of nutrient-rich event “menus” to the PTOs at individual schools. Now, instead of offering only soft drinks, two schools adopted the “milk on the menu” program.
- In March 2004, information packets on the School Nutrition Policy were prepared for school staff. As each school receives orientation to the policy, more improvements to the school nutrition environment are expected.
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| Story Highlights |
Keys to Success:
- Coordination: Team approach to creating the school board policy
- Focus on process: Attention to the process in implementing an all-school fruits and vegetables classroom snack policy
- Resources: Use of reference materials such as CDC’s School Health Index; NASBE’s Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn; and USDA’s Changing the Scene kit
- Collaboration: Atmosphere of collaboration by establishing and maintaining positive relationships among school administration, staff, students, and community groups
Future Plans:
- With passage of Nutrition Education Practices Policy 6175, the Team Nutrition committee will continue efforts to improve the nutritional quality of competitive foods throughout the Grand Forks School District.
- The Public Health Department will continue to promote the “fruits and veggie classroom snack policy” to be adopted on a school-wide basis.
- food service will be involved with the committee deciding on vending contracts.
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| Words of Wisdom |
"We take a common sense approach to issues, and everyone understands that. How can you argue with good nutrition when it makes good sense and it’s the right thing to do?"
— Dr. Jeff Schatz, Principal, Central High School |
| Program Contact |
Julie Tunseth, Kim Dietrich |