Eileen Ferruggiaro, RD, PhD

SNA USDA/State Agency Conference

November 30, 2011

What Is the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC)?

• Voluntary certification initiative

• Recognizes excellence in nutrition and physical activity in schools

• Grants certification for 4 years

HUSSC Goals

HealthierUS Criteria

• Consistent with 2005 Dietary Guidelines

• Reflect IOM’s recommendations for foods sold outside the school meals program

• Specific for 4 levels of recognition: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold of Distinction

Common Criteria

• Participate in the NSLP

• Be a Team Nutrition School

• Offer reimbursable lunches that reflect the Dietary Guidelines and meet USDA nutrition standards

• Provide more nutritious competitive foods, if offered

• Have a local school wellness policy

Criteria forAverage Daily Participation

Bronze Silver Gold Gold of Distinction

Elementary No criteria 60% 70% 70%

Middle No criteria 60% 70% 70%

High No criteria 45% 65% 65%

Additional Criteria•Whole Grains•Fruits•Vegetables•Fat-free and Low-fat Milk

• Set limits on the total fat, trans fat, saturated fat, sodium, total sugars, and portion sizes

• Allow these beverages:

• Low-fat, fat-free milk

• 100% fruit and vegetable juice

• Unflavored, non-carbonated water

Criteria for Nutrition Education,Physical Education, Physical Activity

School Health Policies & Practices

• Fundraising

• Nutrition

• Physical activity

• Wellness policy

Policies & practices support a consistentwellness environment

Applying is Easier Than Ever...

• Visit http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov/– Online Interactive Applications– Online Competitive Foods Calculator– Online Technical Assistance Tools– Application Kit– Submit applications electronically– Simplified district application process

HUSSC Incentives

Bronze Silver Gold Gold of Distinction

Amount $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000

Schools certified under the 2009

criteria are eligible for monetary

incentives

Review ProcessReview Process

• State

• Regional Office

• Headquarters

Review ProcessReview Process

• State

• Regional Office

• Headquarters

Tools

• Application Toolkit (FAQ’s)

• Menu Review Form

• Gold Award of Distinction Review Form (token items)

• Binder with tabs – color-coded menu items

Gold Award of Distinction Review Form

Streamlining Approval

• Production Records– Calendar lunch menu should match what is listed

on production records.– List items in quantifiable units, (pounds, ounces,

#10 cans, etc) or by number of servings. – Ensure that adequate portion sizes can be

determined through the documentation provided. – Clearly state how many servings were served

and how many were leftover.

 

Streamlining Approval, Continued

• Additional Documentation – Include recipes, manufacturer documentation, or

product label for combination foods, and items that may need clarification in meeting HUSSC criteria (i.e. vegetable medleys, all whole grain items).

– Competitive food items should be entered into calculator correctly to reflect documentation.

– Offer versus Serve procedure should be clearly stated in the cover letter or application.

Best Practices• Solicit helpers - Request NFSMI training,

nutrition student help, Fuel Up to Play 60, Action for Healthy Kids, mentoring schools, etc.

• Apply for Team Nutrition Grants• Use HUSSC online resources and conduct

workshops and analyze barriers• Coach schools through the process and

encourage questions/comments from schools• Promote submission of a district-wide application• Encourage complete production records• Celebrate Achievements!!

Take the Challenge – Get Awarded!

Hollin Meadows Elementary School Fairfax County, Virginia

Silver AwardGooding Elementary School

Gooding School District, IdahoGold Award of Distinction

Ridgeview Elementary School (left) Colfax, IllinoisSilver Award

New Resources

Healthier Middle SchoolsEveryone can help.

• Engage teachers, principals, parents, food service managers and students in school wellness efforts

• Short video clips and handout for each audience

There is power in numbers

Healthier Middle SchoolsEveryone can help.

Teachers not Health/ not PE

(Number of groups)

Parents

(Number of groups)

Students

(Number of groups)

Phase 1: January/February 2011

Baltimore, MD 1 2 (1 Moms, 1 Dads) 2 (1 girls, 1 boys)

Riverside CA 1 2 (1 Moms, 1 Dads) 2 (1 girls, 1 boys)

Cleveland, OH 1 2 (1 Moms, 1 Dads) 2 (1 girls, 1 boys)

Phase 2: August 2011

Dallas, TX 1 2 (1 Moms, 1 Dads) 2 (1 girls, 1 boys)

Atlanta, GA 1 2 (1 Moms, 1 Dads) 2 (1 girls, 1 boys)

Des Moines, IA 1 2 (1 Moms, 1 Dads) 2 (1 girls, 1 boys)

Healthier Middle SchoolsEveryone can help.

Principals(Number of groups)

School Nutrition Professionals

(Number of Groups)

Phase 1: January/February 2011

3 3

Phase 2: August 2011 3 3

States represented (Principals): MS, TX, AR, IA, WV, MI, UT, SC, NY, FL, IL, NC, OHStates represented (SNP): CA, TX, FL, MI, AR, MS, TN, ND, WI, OH

Healthier Middle SchoolsEveryone can help.

Healthier Middle Schools Print Materials

HUSSC Success Stories