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Kingsley Middle School

Kingsley, Michigan

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Categories Resources used; Adopt marketing techniques to promote healthful choices; Make more healthful foods and beverages available
Problem Overview
  • 460 total students in northern Michigan
  • 40 percent of students eligible for free and reduced-price school meals
Program/Activity Description Students were instrumental in the success of a milk vending project at Kingsley Middle School. The soft drink machine was removed from the building before the start of the 2002-2003 school year. With a grant of $3,000 from United Dairy Industries of Michigan-Michigan Team Nutrition, a milk vending machine was purchased through a half-price offer. A school-wide calcium nutrition campaign was conducted to introduce the vending machine. This kick-off event included milk mustache photos and sampling stations for other “bone building snacks” such as smoothies (made by the principal!), yogurt, and cheese. Dairy nutrition information was also available. The kick-off was featured on local television stations and in the newspaper.

Management of the milk vending machine has become a learning experience for the special education class at the school. They work with the school food service department rotating the stock and re-stocking the machine—which sells out every day!

The Nutrition Action Team at Kingsley responsible for the milk vending machine project was led by a physical education teacher, Jolie King. Team members included other teachers, along with a student, an administrator, and the food service director. The team wrapped up their grant project by identifying the next steps toward improving the school nutrition environment.

Program/Activity Outcome
  • Removed soft drink machine before the start of the 2002-2003 school year; during the school year, only one student asked where the machine was.
  • Purchased a milk vending machine with a grant from United Dairy Industries of Michigan-Michigan Team Nutrition.
  • Held a school-wide calcium campaign to kick off the installation of the new vending machine, which generated coverage from television and print media.
  • Used the vending machine as a teaching tool and learning experience for special education classes.
  • Used an outside facilitator from the Michigan State University Team Nutrition program and USDA’s Changing the Scene kit to promote a healthy school nutrition and physical activity environment. The physical education teacher also used parts of the kit in health classes.
  • The school has focused on the importance of physical education (it received a Governor’s Council Award for exemplary physical education programs) and physical activity (it raised $14,000 for the American Heart Association through the Hoops for Heart program).
Story Highlights Keys to Success:
  • Resources: Using USDA’s Changing the Scene with the help of an outside facilitator
  • Teamwork: Supportive Nutrition Action Team led by the school’s physical education teacher
Future Plans:
  • Continue meetings of the Nutrition Action Team – with the addition of more parents.
  • Focus on the importance of breakfast during the 2003-2004 school year.
  • Continue operation of the milk vending machine.
Words of Wisdom "We worked with twelve schools this year, including Kingsley Middle School, using Changing the Scene. All of them were amazed at the overall awareness that was raised by using the School Improvement Checklist in the kit. Bringing the food service staff, teachers, administrators, students, and parents together helped them recognize the challenges they faced – and how they could work together to improve their school’s environment." — Ann Guyer, Associate Program Leader, Michigan State University Extension
Program Contact Ann Guyer


Page last reviewed: February 27, 2013
Page last updated: February 27, 2013
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