All five elementary schools within the Mineola Union Free School District were recently presented with a bronze medal from Robert Deegan of the Healthier U.S. School Challenge.
To qualify for the bronze award, the district had to meet all of the HUSSCnutritional requirements and prove student compliance with the health and physicaleducation criteria.
Including Mineola, only 13 schools in New York state have received medal status.
The criteria includes:
- Serving a variety of healthier foods that appeal to the students
- Planning meals that feature fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-freemilk products
- Utilizing lean proteins and foods low in saturated fats, cholesterol, sodium andadded sugars
- Providing opportunities for physical activities and health education to students
Established by the USDA, the Healthier U.S. School Challenge recognizes schoolsparticipating in the National School Lunch Program that create healthier schoolenvironments by providing nutrition education, nutritious food and beverage choices, physical education and opportunities for physical activity.
This initiative is a componentof First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign, which strives to end thechildhood obesity epidemic.
Third and fourth graders at the school were also treated to a show from “Broccoli Rob” who prepared a healthy cooking demonstration, including a shake made with spinach, blueberries, banana and water, though no one got to taste test it.
