News & Updates – Schools
Healthier Schools Are on the Menu In Greenville County
This school year, students from 28 elementary and one middle schools in Greenville County will enjoy healthier menus, thanks to a summer culinary training camp that expanded the Culinary Creations program from 11 elementary schools last school year. Eighty school-based food and nutrition services staff members from these schools gave a week of their summer to attend the Culinary Institute of the Carolinas at Greenville Technical College where they learned to improve knife skills; how to prepare risottos, salads and soups; the difference between a roux and a slurry and how to make them; and ways to use fresh herbs and spices instead of salt to add flavor. They also learned about nutrition and school food policy to better understand the important role they play when preparing food and placing it on a student’s tray.
The experience was transformative. The cafeteria workers increased their knowledge by nearly 50% from pre- to posttest. And their evaluations indicated that they are now passionate about preparing healthy breakfasts and lunches for their students. As one staff member wrote on her evaluation, “I’m so ready to get out there and show what I have learned this week!”
These 11 schools have also committed to a host of other actions to become a healthier school:
- Adopt healthier menus (exceeding the USDA standards)
- Implement healthier fundraising options (PTA commitment)
- Implement the CATCH program (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) in their school
LiveWell Greenville is offering support by providing resources, materials and links to information to make changes within their schools. The coalition has collected “healthier coupons” to local parks, water parks, the zoo, etc. to replace the fast food coupons used for perfect attendance and honor roll, are developing an inventory of healthy incentives and party ideas for the classroom and are linking schools to state and national resources for additional ideas and support.
The schools participating in the program are: A.J. Whittenburg, Augusta Circle, Bethel, Blythe, Brook Glen, Buena Vista, Fountain Inn, Greenbrier, Grove, Heritage, Kerns, Mauldin, Mitchell Road, Monarch, Monaview, Oakview, Plain, Roudolf Gordon, Sarah Collins, Simpsonville, Skyland, Sterling, Stone Academy, Sue Cleveland, Summit Drive, Taylors, Tigerville, and Welcome Elementary Schools.
Click here for tools and information to help make your school a healthier place for children.
LiveWell Greenville – Greenville County Schools Culinary Training from Eleanor Dunlap on Vimeo.
Greenville County Schools Helping Students LiveWell!
Greenville County Schools and its Food and Nutrition Services are making strides to support students with healthy living. At a recent presentation to the Board of Trustees and school district administrators, school district staff outlined the work that’s underway within cafeterias, PE classes, PTA and, in some cases, within classrooms to improve nutrition and promote physical activity. District staff highlighted their partnerhip with LiveWell Greenville, describing the coalition as a linkage to community resources and as a support for collaborative efforts. For more information, read the FANS article 3.9.11 published in the Greer Citizen.
2010 USDA Guidelines
The 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines are available online. A press release by the USDA emphasizes the importance of balancing caloric intake with physical activity and a commentary by the author of Food Politics highlights the importance of changing the food environment to improve access to healthy foods. To view the full report click here and to view an executive summary click here.
