School Food Service
Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association Announces SWEL Rewards! Winners
At the start of the 2008-2009 school year, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association introduced the School Wellness: Excellence in Leadership (SWEL) Rewards! program for school foodservice management companies. SWEL Rewards! supports school wellness policies by focusing on initiatives that promote positive changes in students’ eating and physical activity habits. Schools received points for using and participating in Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association programs. Schools with milk in 8-ounce plastic bottles earned valuable points that paid off in the final tally.
More than 30 schools submitted applications, and each applicant received a $100 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card to use toward their school’s wellness and physical fitness initiatives. We are pleased to announce the following recipients of SWEL Rewards! winners. Click here to view pictures.
More Students Drinking Lowfat, Fat-Free Milk
A report by ENVIRON found that schools have been very successful at switching to lowfat and fat-free milk. The report is based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture School Nutrition Dietary Assessment I and III.
As of 2005, about three-quarters of all students chose lowfat (1%) or fat-free milk compared to the early 90's when the same number of students chose whole or reduced-fat (2%) milk. Read more about the report.
Lactose-Free Milk
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, numerous health organizations and the latest science support the role of lactose-free milk in child nutrition programs. Learn why offering lactose-free milk as part of your program benefits children with lactose intolerance.
Child Nutrition: A Focus on Dairy Foods
This issue of Dairy Council Digest provides a comprehensive review on the important roles that nutrient-rich dairy foods play in children's diets, bone development and overall health.
This Digest also highlights the value of nutrition programs in helping children consume the recommended three servings of dairy for children aged 9 and older
The New Priority: Nutritional Quality
A recent report released by Action for Healthy Kids stresses the importance of improving the nutritional quality of school programs. Improving school wellness goes beyond limiting nutrient-poor foods; it is about shifting the emphasis onto more nutritious options. Schools must provide healthier foods that appeal to children and teens, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products.
The Action for Healthy Kids report stresses the need to make nutritional quality a priority. To do so, schools should:
- Encourage students to make better food choices at school by providing healthful foods that are tasty and appealing in all school venues.
- Involve students in developing approaches for improving nutritional quality in their school.
- Use social marketing strategies to promote food groups to encourage – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products.
- Encourage participation in school meal programs.
- Engage parents, communities, students, and schools in activities and events focusing on wellness at home and school.
MyPyramid Fact Sheets
Are you looking for easy ways to integrate the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans into your school meals? ...more