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closeWARNER ROBINS — Cook it, and they will come. Healthier meals, that is.
Six schools in Houston County have won a Bronze Award from the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association for successfully implementing the “Alliance for a Healthier Generation” program, which seeks to prevent childhood obesity and create healthier lifestyles.
The schools are Lindsey Elementary, Northside Elementary, Pearl Stephens Elementary, Westside Elementary, Thomson Middle and Northside High. The initiative was led by school nutrition managers, administrators and physical education teachers.
Bronze-level recipients are invited to Little Rock, Ark., to be presented the award personally by former President Clinton.
The alliance pays for one representative from each award-winning school to attend the Healthy Schools Forum at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. The event date is not yet known but is based on Clinton’s schedule.
Meredith Potter, school system dietitian, said it was “encouraging to see how many of our policies and programs are already aligned with the best practices suggested by the Healthy Schools Program.”
William “Slim” Johnson, cafeteria manager at Lindsey Elementary, said managers have to follow strict guidelines with regard to calories, fat grams, sweeteners and sodium in recipes.
“Meredith approves all our menus, and she’ll tell us if a recipe is right or what adjustments we have to make,” Johnson said.
Potter said one aspect of the program at schools is teaching students the importance of nutrition education.
“We make sure the serving line models the food pyramid, and we try to reinforce the cafeteria program beyond feeding them,” she said. “Workers and managers are trained to deliver food facts to students so the cafeteria is like a learning lab, not just a feeding facility.”
With many families tightening the belt in economic hard times, there are more less-expensive foods in stores, Potter said, but many of them also have fewer vitamins.
“Some of the students can only get fast food or processed foods at home,” she said.
“Our responsibility is to feed them and teach them the importance of healthier options.”
Beyond the students, the nutrition program also caters to schools’ staff and teachers.
Anthony Lunceford, principal at Lindsey, said in addition to the meals from Johnson and the cafeteria staff, teachers participated by forming a “biggest loser” competition for weight loss.
“During that time, they shared healthy eating habits, recipes and exercise, and enjoyed some friendly competition with their colleagues,” Lunceford said. “We are honored to receive this award, and will continue to encourage our staff and students to focus on healthy lifestyles and nutrition.”
Johnson also added to his resumé last month by attending a Georgia Southern University Culinary Institute workshop in Statesboro.
“We were shown how to use herbs and spices in recipes to cut down on the sodium levels,” he said. “Also, short cuts to make the food better, like baking french fries in an oven instead of using a deep fryer.”
Other workshop topics included allergies, diabetes and preparing vegetarian meals, he said.
Potter said the awards validate the successes at schools and cited Johnson’s efforts as a big part of it.
“The cafeteria manager has a special relationship with the kids, and more of them are eating more nutritious meals,” she said. “Our meals have more fiber and fewer calories than a home-packed lunch.”
Johnson said he’s noticed in the past few years that children are throwing away less food, which pleases him. He does acknowledge he and other managers have to compete with fast-food outlets while delivering healthy nutrition.
“We cannot snap our fingers and make them all eat right,” Johnson said. “What we can do is make them feel comfortable about eating the meals we prepare, get used to wholesome foods.”
To contact writer Jake Jacobs, call 923-6199, extension 305.
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