USDA and its partners the National Football League and the National Dairy Council joined students, teachers, foodservice professionals and community leaders for the HealthierUS School Challenge celebration.
This is the largest number of awards ever presented to a single school district and the state of Texas leads the nation in the highest number of awards.
“HealthierUS Schools have taken an active role in combating childhood obesity by incorporating healthier menus and introducing more physical activities during the school day,” said Thornton. “The strong foundation these schools have built supports a clear path for our nation’s young people to win the future.”
The Challenge and Fuel Up to Play 60 are key components of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. Last year, the First Lady and USDA called on stakeholders to double the number of HUSSC schools within a year and add 1,000 schools per year for two years after that. As of 9 May, 1,001 schools are certified, well on the way toward the goal of 1,250 schools in this school year.
Schools participating in the HUSSC voluntarily adopt USDA standards for food they serve at their schools, agree to offer nutrition education and to provide opportunities for physical activity.
USDA recently announced that it will be investing $5.5m in grants with approximately $2.5m set aside to provide non-competitive grants (up to $50,000) to each State Agency that commits to specific strategies to increase the number of HealthierUS School Challenge applications submitted for approval. Up to $350,000 may be requested to include both competitive and non-competitive grants.
Source: USDA
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