National Media Spotlights School Food Service Program

        The St. Tammany Parish Food Service Program has been spotlighted by USA Today as part of their national media coverage focused of districts providing healthy food choices for school childen.

         USA Today was referred to St. Tammany Parish by the United States Department of Agriculture, and the article applauded the efforts made by the St. Tammany Parish Public School System over the past 26 years to provide more wholesome selections for our students.

          These changes include the replacement of most desserts with fresh fruit, increased raw vegetable options, fresh baked whole wheat products, leaner meats, and reduced-fat milk.

          Given special mention was the School System's "Go, Glow and Grow" Nutritional Awareness Program which connects the school cafeteria with the classroom in educating students about healthy food choices.

          CLICK HERE for the USA Today article.                            CLICK HERE for USDA Gold Award listing.

2007-Outstanding Food Service Programs

        The annual Food Service Awards Program recognized the following schools as outstanding in their category for the 2007-2008 School Year:

• High School - Northshore High: Principal Dr. Michael Peterson and Manager Ms. Velma Chabreck
• Middle/Junior High School - Monteleone Junior High: Principal Ms. Donna Addison and Manager Ms. Kathy James
• Elementary School - Abney Elementary School: Principal Mr. Robert Alford and Manager Ms. Debra Davis
                                Florida Elementary School: Principal Ms. Elaine Motte andManager Ms. Angela Jackson
  

Cypress Cove Elementary School First School in Nation To
Earn HealthierUS School Challenge Gold Certification Award

          Cypress Cove Elementary School in Slidell was recognized in 2004 as the first school in the Nation to earn the HealthierUS School Challenge Gold Certification award presented by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The award honors schools that meet recommended nutrition and physical activity standards set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

          In 2005, the remaining 22 schools eligible for recognition earned the United States Department of Agriculture Gold Level Certification.

St. Tammany Selected for "Cooking for Kids" Training Film

An educational television segment that showcases healthy cooking for children filmed a "best practices" video at Cypress Cove Elementary School in Slidell November 7. The segment  focuses on local school cafeteria preparation of a regional favorite, a greaseless brown roux.

Videos were shot of food preparation, students in lunch lines and the dining room, and interviews with students, Principal Lisa Dial, and Food Service Supervisor Sylvia Dunn. A nutrition education class and general campus shots were also video-taped for the project.

The purpose of the program "Cooks for Kids: Healthful Cooking Across America" is to address the problem of childhood obesity through school food service departments, the primary audience for the videos being produced. It is aimed to inspire foodservice staff to prepare and serve nutritious and appealing foods in child nutrition programs. Teaching healthy food habits that will carry the wellness message into the home is a goal of the thirty-minute showcase of recipes, techniques, and practical solutions that schools can adopt to prepare healthier and tastier meals.

The new program is being put together by the National Food Service Management Institute.

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