School district promotes healthy eating habits in the classroom
USDA calls Novato a model of nutrition education
Novato’s nutrition education program received praise Thursday from U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, who called the district’s efforts to put local produce in its schools’ cafeterias a model for the nation.
“You are one of three school districts in California that are considered models for how we are trying to improve the school lunch program,” said Allen Ng, western regional administrator for the USDA’s food and nutrition service. He also praised Southern California’s Riverside and Ventura school districts during a presentation at Novato High School. In particular, USDA officials singled out the Novato schools’ gleaning program in which students, parents and other volunteers gather vegetables and other crops left over after a harvest at a local farm.
“Simply because of aesthetic requirements, 20 percent of our food gets left in the field,” said Helge Hellberg, executive director of Marin Organic, which sponsors the program. “Harvesting that food allows schools to get some of its food for free and purchase local, organic food from our growers at below-market prices.” The gleaning program has also become part of the district’s curriculum, as Novato students visit farms and gardens and nutrition director Miguel Villarreal promotes healthy eating habits in the classroom. “I enjoyed harvesting green beans with my school,” said Ariana Ricken, a fifth-grade student at San Ramon Elementary School. “I thought nobody would try them, but a lot of kids thought they were delicious, and when they asked for more, I knew they really liked them.”
Novato’s efforts have won support from the county Department of Health and Human Services and from local parents’ groups such as the Novato Live Well Network and Teens Turning Green, who say the district’s insistence on healthy food and exercise has helped prevent childhood obesity and other diseases. “If you feed kids local food, and help them understand the role of food in their health, our diabetes rates will disappear,” said Judi Shils, executive director of Teens Turning Green. USDA officials noted the similarities between Novato’s program and the agency’s own Farm to School initiative, which works to connect school districts with local farmers. Agency official Audrey Rowe said the program can work even in areas that do not enjoy Marin County’s easy access to local produce. “We’re connecting schools in Chicago with farms in Pembroke, Illinois an hour and a half away, creating a ‘food hub,’” said Rowe, deputy administrator for the USDA’s special nutrition programs. Novato educators said they would continue to work toward improving students’ understanding of nutrition - as well as their own. “I used to give students a reward for bringing in their college acceptance letter - a big Snickers bar,” said Novato High Principal Rey Mayoral. “Now I give them an apple or an orange.” Article appeared in Marin IJ and at marinij.com on 9/9/10 Click for more information on Teens Turning Green
