Schools

Hamden Public Schools Awarded HealthierUS School Challenge Award

Only 5.5 percent of the nation's eligible schools have earned the HUSSC distinction.


The federal government has recognized the town's eight elementary schools for their commitment to healthy eating with a USDA HealthierUS School Challenge award.

The USDA has awarded the winners for school year 2011-2012, which include awarding the Bronze HealthierUS School Challenge Award Level to all eight Hamden Elementary Schools — a distinction earned by less than 6 percent of the nation’s eligible schools.

This recognition is the product of a yearlong effort between Hamden Public Schools administration and staff, which includes food service director Karen Gersbeck, food service personnel, school staff and the School Nutrition Association, which provides assistance and resources to assist individual school districts improve performance.

The HealthierUS School Challenge awards are a way for the USDA to recognize schools that have created healthier school environments through improvements in the quality of school meals while providing both nutrition and physical education to promote healthy lifestyles.  The HUSSC is a key component in Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign and has also helped prepare schools to implement the meal pattern changes developed by the USDA for nation-wide implementation starting school year 2012-1013

Achieving this award reiterates Hamden Public Schools food service team’s commitment to promoting a healthy school environment for its students. 

“This was a great opportunity for Whitsons to work alongside the school district in preparation for this achievement and also for Whitsons to be recognized for the quality Food Service Program they offer the students every day,” said Gersbeck. 

In order to qualify for the Bronze award, Hamden Public Schools had to demonstrate that the schools meet all the HUSSC nutritional requirements on an on-going basis, serving a variety of healthier foods that appeal to the students, planning meals that emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products; and that include lean proteins and foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

The schools were required to prove compliance with nutrition education, wellness, and the physical activity criteria of the HUSSC according to age group.

The award ceremony took place at the Second Annual School Breakfast Summit in East Hartford on April 26. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Regional Administrator, James Arena-DeRosa was on hand to present the HealthierUS awards, a commemorative plaque, HUSSC banners, and a check for $4,000 to the school district.

For more details on the USDA’S HeathierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) visit www.teamnutrition.usda.gov.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here