DPS aims to boost good nutrition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Nadine Goodwin-Blake, Executive Director Child Nutrition Services, 560-2370 DPS aims to boost good nutrition DURHAM—The offerings found in Durham Public Schools lunch lines are increasing in their nutritional value while decreasing in fat and sodium. Nadine Blake-Goodwin, Executive Director of Child Nutrition Services for DPS, has announced that key changes are under way to improve the breakfasts and lunches students eat at school. “From standardizing recipes to promoting low-fat milk consumption, we are changing the direction of nutrition in our schools,” said Blake-Goodwin. “We want to work with parents and teachers to ensure that students eat and act with their health in mind.” DPS is a partner with the Winner’s Circle Healthy Dining Program, an effort to help identify great-tasting, healthy menu items at school. The system’s goal is to eventually have all meals served in DPS to align with the Winner’s Circle healthy foods criteria, which include maximum percentages of fat, sugar and sodium content in meals served. Specific efforts to accomplish this include: ? DPS now serves only 2 percent unflavored milk, or 1 percent unflavored, chocolate and strawberry milk; along with special milk for lactose intolerant students; ? The only remaining beverage choice in school cafeterias is 100 percent juice based (except for high schools which also serve iced tea); ? The number of snack items available in school cafeterias has been significantly reduced, with healthier options, such as baked potato chips, being piloted; ? Fresh fruit offerings have increased; ? French fries are now served less often, with “potato of the day” substituted; and, ? Chef salads are available daily in middle and high schools, and three times a week in elementary schools. Improvements to the school food service program come at an opportune time for Durham. The number of overweight or obese adults and overweight children comprises nearly half of Durham County’s overall population, and it is increasing. Nationally, the American Obesity Association reports that some 30 percent of parents are somewhat or very concerned about their children’s weight. In 2003, DPS won a $442,000 grant to implement a pilot program designed to equip young people with the information and skills necessary to prevent them from becoming overweight. The funds are being used to implement additional physical activity programs in all elementary schools and after-school programs, expand the DINE for LIFE program – a nutrition education program, part of a longstanding and successful partnership between DPS and the Durham County Health Department – to three additional schools for a total of 13, and bolstering effectiveness of communication with the Latino community. Eating healthy is also the goal of a Farmers Market Fair to be held at Fayetteville Street Elementary School on Tuesday, September 28 from 9:15 am to 1:15 pm. The school is located at 2905 Fayetteville Street. During the fair, students will have a chance to see, touch and taste a variety of fruit and vegetables as well as learn about the importance of eating at least five fruits or vegetables a day. Partners in the event include the Durham Farmers Market, the Durham Food Cooperative, SEEDS and Kroger, all of which will feature display booths. After the fair, health department nutritionists will work with target schools to teach classrooms lessons on the importance of fruit and vegetables and cafeteria managers to highlight fruit and vegetables being served in the cafeteria. ###