Awards will be presented in January to four Canyons elementary schools receiving special commendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for improving school lunch and physical activity on their campuses.
 
HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) Bronze-level designation has been approved for Brookwood, Granite, Oakdale and Peruvian Park elementary schools. The designation comes with a banner, plaque, $500 for the school, and inclusion on the HUSSC’s Team Nutrition Web site.
 
The HealthierUS School Challenge is a voluntary national certification for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. It supports first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move “campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier school campuses through the promotion of good nutrition and physical activity.
 
The initiative focuses on three main areas. Schools must show they have improved the quality of all food available on the campus by meeting the 2005 dietary guidelines for Americans and the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations. In addition to menu choices, the schools must also provide students with nutrition education and the opportunity to participate in physical activity during the school day.

See Oakdale Principal Alice Peck talk to KUTV’s Heidi Hatch and Cristina Flores about the award.