Midwest AGNet - Your Source for Everything AGAG Secretary Vilsack to Recognize Iowa School for Excellence in Nutrition and Physical Activity

AG Secretary Vilsack to Recognize Iowa School for Excellence in Nutrition and Physical Activity

WASHINGTON, D.C. (USDA Release) October 11, 2009 - Tomorrow, Monday, October 12, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will visit West Elementary School in Knoxville, Iowa to highlight efforts to improve school nutrition and combat childhood obesity through USDA's Healthier US School Challenge. West Elementary School, a gold-level school, has exceeded existing standards by providing healthier food choices, nutrition education, and physical activity to its students.

The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) was established to recognize schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Four levels of superior performance are awarded: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold of Distinction.

USDA provides nutritious foods to schools through its USDA Foods program. These foods represent 15-20 percent of products served in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. USDA has worked to reduce levels of fat, sodium, and sugar in the USDA Foods made available to schools to ensure more healthful diets.

The National School Lunch Program serves nutritionally balanced meals to more than 31 million children in 101,000 schools and residential childcare institutions each school day. National School Lunch Week was established in 1963 by Presidential Proclamation to raise awareness and support the National School Lunch Program and the critical service it provides.