Food Nutrition

The goal of the Stewart County Nutrition Department is to provide healthy meals for all students to enhance their learning potential.

WELLNESS POLICY

Each local educational agency that participates in the National School Lunch Program or other federal Child Nutrition Program is required by federal law to establish a local school wellness policy for all schools under its jurisdiction.
Local wellness policies are an important tool for parents, local educational agencies (LEAs) and school districts in promoting student wellness, preventing and reducing childhood obesity and providing assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the minimum federal school meal standards.

Background
Congress recognizes that schools play a critical role in promoting student health, preventing childhood obesity, and combating problems associated with poor nutrition and physical inactivity. In 2004, Congress passed the Child Nutrition and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act (Sec. 204 of Public Law 108-205). This act required by law that all LEAs participating in the National School Lunch Program or other child nutrition programs create local school wellness policies by School Year 2006. The legislation places the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each LEA can be addressed.
In 2010, Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Sec. 204 of Public Law 111-296), and added new provisions for local school wellness policies related to implementation, evaluation, and publicly reporting on progress of local school wellness policies.

Informational links:
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/healthierUS/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/fruitsvegetables/index.html

 WELLNESS PROGRAM

The Stewart County Board of Education is committed to providing a school environment that enhances learning and development of lifelong wellness practices. The Board also is committed to ensuring that the school’s environment is promoting and protecting students’ wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of developing lifelong wellness practices. In Accordance with Federal Law 108-265, the District has involved parents, teachers, students, representative of food services, health and physical education teachers, the Board, school administrators and the public in developing a district wide wellness policy. To accomplish these goals:

BENEFITS TO CHILDREN
·         The Stewart County Educational Complex School Nutrition Program is to provide nutritious meals to all children. The program supplies free breakfasts, lunches and afterschool snacks to economically deprived children. It meets at least two-thirds the recommended daily dietary allowances, helps develop sound food habits, and is a most extensive program in applied nutrition. It helps build alert, healthy citizens and teaches the social graces.

OPERATIONS
·         The School Food and Nutrition Program is operated in accordance with the regulations of the National School Lunch Act and the regulations of the State Board of Education and the Stewart County Board of Education.
·         The source of funding for the School Food and Nutrition Program include sales income, federal aid from various sources, state contributions, and USDA donated food.
·         The Child Nutrition program complies with federal, state, and local requirements and is accessible to all children.
·         All food and beverages made available on campus during the school day shall be consistent with the requirements of federal and state law
·         Guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the U.S. Secretary pursuant to the Child Nutrition Act and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as those regulations and guidance apply to schools.
·         All school based activities are consistent with local wellness policy.
·         The District shall teach, encourage, and support healthy eating by students. Schools shall provide nutrition education consistent with federal and state regulations and engage in nutrition promotions that are age appropriate for the school.
·         The superintendent or designee shall develop procedures for operation of school nutrition program at each school during the day with the objectives of promoting school health and reducing childhood obesity.
·         This Wellness Policy is to serve as a guide for the operation of an efficient School Nutrition Program for the Stewart County Educational Complex. It contains policies and procedures for the School Nutrition Program.
·         The operation of the School Nutrition Program is a cooperative effort involving the superintendent, assistant superintendents, director, principals, cafeteria personnel, teachers, students, parents and community.   Every employee is directly responsible to the Federal and State Government and administration on the local level.
·         By becoming familiar with this information, misunderstandings and misinformation may be greatly reduced or eliminated.
·         By becoming familiar with the material contained herein, uniform procedures can be put into practice throughout the school system. Continuous growth is inevitable and continuous improvement is vital to handle that growth.

Physical Education
All students in grades Pk-12 shall have opportunities, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis. The District will provide physical education consistent with federal and state requirements.

Implementation
The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the wellness policy and shall develop procedures for evaluation, including indicators that may be used to measure the schools’ success in meeting the goals. In the school, the designee shall be charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that the school works toward meeting the goals set within the wellness policy and shall report on the school’s compliance to the Superintendent. The public shall be informed about the schools’ progress in meeting their wellness goals.

Nutrition Education/Goals
·         The District will teach, encourage, and support healthy eating by students.
·         The primary goal of nutrition education is to positively influence students’ eating behaviors. School nutrition staff will be available as a resource to teachers and staff.
·         Continuing professional learning will be provides for all school nutrition staff members. The professional learning and training programs shall comply with all requirements imposed by federal law, state law, and state board of education rules. System level supervisory school nutrition personnel shall meet the certification requirements imposed by federal law, state law, and rules promulgated by the state board of education.
·         The school cafeteria will serve as a learning laboratory to support classroom instruction through menu offering, signage, and bulletin board displays.
·         Fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat –free dairy products, healthy preparation methods, and health- enhancing nutrition practices will be promoted to students and staff.
·         School nutrition personnel shall have primary responsibility over meal accountability.
·         Food service facility will have at least one school nutrition employee on site that is certified as a food safety manager(ServSafe) in compliance with federal and state law and rules promulgated by the state board of education.
·         Web links that relate to good nutrition, physical activity, and wellness will made available on the district webpage.
·         Wellness information will be incorporated into school newsletter.
·         The school system shall use outside resources to provide nutrition education.
·         Nutrition education will be evident in the school dining room through posters and bulletin board displays.
·         School district will provide information to families that encourage them to teach their children about health and nutrition to provide nutritious meals for their families.
·         Students will be encouraged to start each day with a healthy breakfast. Child nutrition programs comply with federal, state, and local requirement. Child nutrition programs are accessible to all children.
·         During the school day, the school will promote and encourage healthy food choices (cafeteria, ala carte, classroom snacks, afterschool program snacks, vending, and fundraising) that are consistent with nutrition education curriculum.
·         Provide attractive, nutritious, well-balanced meals to every child and staff member in the Stewart County School System.
·         Involve students in menu planning and other appropriate school nutrition activities.
·         Provide a nutrient analysis of each meal served and each item offered.
·         Provide nutrition education materials for classroom teachers to use in the classroom.
·         Positively promote the School Nutrition Program to school and community.
·         Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch and snack meals to as many school children as possible.
·         Operate a summer nutrition program to service students in a summer school academic program at the school and to the community.

Other School-Based Activities Designed to Promote Student Wellness
·         Provide on-going education for faculty, staff, and students in the areas of nutrition and physical education.
·         School fundraising shall be encouraged to offer healthy food choices or non-food sales
·         Students and staff members will be encouraged to practice good hand washing techniques
·         School nurse will be available to provide training for the purpose of promoting wellness.
·         After school programs, will encourage physical activity and nutritious choices at snack time.

Nutrition Standards for All Foods Available on School Campus during School Day
In order to promote healthy eating habits:
·         The School Nutrition Program will ensure that reimbursable school meals meet the school nutrition program requirements and nutrition standards set forth under relevant federal and state regulations.
·         Students’ meals will meet USDA Nutrition Standards as well as provide sufficient choices, including new foods and foods prepared in new ways, to meet the taste preferences of diverse students. The school nutrition program will provide a choice of menus or items within required food selections in all schools where students may refuse food items offered. All foods and beverages made available on school campuses during the school day, must comply with the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2010)
·         The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (i.e. “competitive” foods and beverages) will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in school nutrition standards at a minimum. Smart Snacks aim to improve student’s health and well-being, increase consumption of healthful foods during the school day, and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits. The school should promote an overall school environment that encourages students to make healthy food choices.

Water
To promote hydration, free, safe, unflavored drinking water will be available to all students throughout the school day. The district will make drinking water available where school meals are served during mealtimes.

Measuring Implementation of the Wellness Policy
The Stewart County School’s Wellness Policy will be reviewed annually by a committee consisting of the nutrition staff, school nurse, and superintendent stakeholder groups (student cabinet and parent advisory committee). The policy will be evaluated for its effectiveness and implementation. The Superintendent or designee shall develop an annual summary report on the district wide compliance with this policy. This report shall be provided to the Board of Education and, upon request, to interested parties.

A school day is defined as 12:00am until 30 minutes after the official end of the school day.



“Non-discrimination Statement in accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. GaDOE Non-Discrimination Statement: In accordance with State and Federal Law, the Georgia Department of Education prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its educational and employment activities. Inquiries regarding the application of these practices may be addressed to the General Counsel of the Georgia Department of Education, 2052 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334, (404) 656-2800. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement: In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”




Stewart County Wellness Committee


Mona Hubbard                                               Nutrition Director
Calvin J. Thomas, III                                            Athletic Director

Aleen Culpepper                                                           Parent