More ways to keep up with the latest news from Polk County Public Schools:

Good News

News Release

Fighting Childhood Obesity and Working to Successfully Meet National Guidelines

August 20, 2012

School starts today! But it’s been a busy summer for School Nutrition staff members. They’ve spent part of the summer working to ensure new national health guidelines set forth by the Healthy, Hunger Free-Kids Act of 2010 will be met. The legislation aimed at combating childhood obesity trends and improving child nutrition, goes into effect this academic school year. The change is expected to have an impact on what schools across the country put on the menu.

These changes are already evident in school lunchrooms across the district. The media is invited to meet with Director of School Nutrition Susan Ehrhart, Horizons Elementary Principal Ruth Reimer and other staff members to find out why cafeterias are dishing out healthy food options.

Media Opportunity
Location: Horizons Elementary
Address: 1700 Forest Lake Drive, Davenport, FL 33837
Date: Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Time: 10 a.m.

Horizons Elementary is the recipient of a $4,402 Team Nutrition Go for the Challenge Healthy Schools Project sub-grant. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Food, Nutrition and Wellness distributed the grant. Horizons Elementary will receive comprehensive technical assistance and training in order to encourage healthy lifelong eating habits and physical activity among students.

Nutrition at Polk County Public Schools:
According to the Food Research and Action Center, 31.8 percent of American children and adolescents are overweight or obese, while 16.9 percent are classified as obese.

Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) is committed to tackling the obesity rate and continues to make nutrition a priority. PCPS already has a Wellness Policy that promotes and protects children’s health, well being and ability to learn by promoting and supporting healthy eating, physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

In keeping with the Schools Meals Program mission, to serve the future of America by nourishing bodies and minds for healthier tomorrows, the following modifications were made to the meal plans. Other healthy practices such as preparing cafeteria food that is NOT fried and making sure students have active recess during the day, continue to reinforce PCPS commitment to healthier school districts.

Menu Highlights

  • Fresh fruit or vegetable choices are offered daily.
  • Students are offered a variety of choices throughout the school week; specifically nutrient-rich beans, red, orange and dark green vegetables.
  • Freshly prepared entrée salads are offered daily in elementary, middle and high schools.
  • Only whole grain rich products are served at lunch. By 2013, 100% of grains offered at breakfast and lunch will be whole grain rich.
  • Items on the menus are low in saturated fats and contain no trans fats.
  • The milk offered is fat free.

Farm to School

  • Participation in the farm to school program will continue with staff serving fresh, local produce in cafeterias and teaching students about what foods are grown in Florida.
  • This year the Florida Department of Agriculture is working with school districts to make it easier and more cost effective to source produce from Florida. Districts across the state will be featuring “Fresh from Florida” fruits and vegetables throughout the school year, such as corn on the cob, green beans, eggplant, yellow squash, oranges, tangerines and more.
  • Schools are encouraged to increase exposure to different types of food by offering samples of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is believed exposure along with education encourages students to try new foods.

The overall goal is to create an environment in which students embrace lifelong healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle.

News