USDA LEADERS SHOW APPRECIATION FOR OGDEN’S SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Ogden, Utah – February 5, 2015 – Officials from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service visited Mound Fort Junior High School on Wednesday to learn more about the Ogden School District’s school lunch program. Regional Division Director Darlene Sanchez met with district and state child nutrition professionals to find out more about the success of the recent implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision as well as to discuss a range of topics related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Ogden School District was one of the first districts in the state to pioneer the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows the students of families that qualify for the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to receive school breakfast and lunch at no cost.
“We all have worked hard to implement recent changes with one goal in mind: healthy kids and healthy environments,” Sanchez told those in attendance. “Ogden is doing something right because we are seeing good results.” The USDA team from the Mountain Plains Region presented Ogden Superintendent Sandy Coroles and the district child nutrition staff with a Certificate of Appreciation for improving the nutrition, health and well being of students in the district.
In explaining the purpose of the visit, Sanchez said, “We encourage feedback to the USDA about successes, as well as challenges. The visit provided an opportunity to listen to nutrition professionals, as well as students. The insights learned can be shared with other school nutrition programs and policy makers in support of our mission.”
District Superintendent Coroles thanked the USDA for making the effort to find out more about the school lunch program in Ogden, saying, “We are excited the USDA recognizes the efforts made by the nutrition employees in our district. We know how hard they work and are pleased to see their efforts being recognized. School lunch is such a necessity for supporting the academic achievement of Ogden students.”
The Ogden School District serves over 9,200 students lunch each day. According to Ken Crawford, Director of Support Services, each child nutrition worker understands how important a healthy and well-prepared lunch is to each student. “We have great people working everyday to help students be successful,” Crawford said. “Our lunch workers understand they can make a difference in the life of each child and contribute to the district’s overall achievement.”
Branch Chief of School Nutrition David Von Behren and Penny Burke, Management Analyst from USDA Food and Nutrition Service were also in attendance to answer questions. In addition to talking about the implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision, topics of discussion during the visit ranged from ways of encouraging students to eat more fruits and vegetables, to how the district is providing nutritious snacks in the schools.
The highlight of the visit came when the visitors and district leaders ate beef pot roast and mashed potatoes for lunch with the students of Mound Fort Junior High. Director Sanchez had the opportunity to talk with students about school lunch regarding their experiences. Sanchez commented as she concluded the school visit, “The lunch was fabulous!”
###
