State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Congratulates Four
California Winners of the Summer Food Service Awards
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced three California public schools or school districts were awarded federal 2009 Sunshine Awards for providing outstanding services to underprivileged children as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program. A fourth school district was also given honorable recognition for its efforts.
"California schools usually win only one of these awards a year," said O'Connell. "But to have three in one year, plus an honorable mention, is unprecedented, and is a true testament to the commitment and dedication of many school employees who are working hard to help improve the lives of hungry children. Congratulations to all the winners for a job well done."
The Western Region's 2009 Sunshine Award winners in California:
Don Gaspar de Portola Elementary School in Livermore (Alameda County) won in the category of "Integrating Nutrition Education and Physical Activities at Sites." The school engaged students in an innovative "Nutrition and Fitness Olympics" event.The annual event extolled the benefits of combining healthy eating along with physical activities. Teachers, school employees, parents, food vendors, and county organizations contributed their time and provided resources to make the event possible. The event featured 26 stations with interactive activities to encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetables and to be more physically active. Examples include a Mini-Farm Stand that allowed students to try fruits such as kiwi, pineapples, nectarines, watermelon, and different types of berries. Another station was a 5-a-Day Wheel that challenged students' knowledge of fruits and vegetables. Finally, the Bicycle-Powered Blender allowed students to cut bananas and strawberries, and then enabled them to "pedal power" the blender to make fresh smoothies.
Butte County Office of Education (BCOE) Migrant Education Region 2 in Oroville was one of two winners in the category of "Improving Nutritional Quality of Meals, Increasing Fruits and Vegetables Consumption." BCOE has been a Summer Food Service Program sponsor for more than 25 years. It won for providing a 10-day cycle menu that featured a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.As evidenced by menu production records and produce invoices, offerings this year included cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, grapes, strawberries, nectarines, peaches, apples, plums, kiwi, pears, bananas, oranges, carrots, jicama, broccoli, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and cabbage.
San Diego Unified School District's (SDUSD) Summer Fun Café in San Diego is a repeat winner two years in a row in the category of "Integrating Nutrition Education and Physical Activities at Sites." This program increased from 39 sites serving an average of 1,600 children in the summer of 2008 to 67 sites serving an average of 2,050 children in the summer of 2009.SDUSD continues its tradition of gathering community support and partnerships by offering 23 barbecue events throughout the summer. During the events, SDUSD gave out fresh fruits and vegetables from the San Diego Food Bank and presented costumed characters dressed as fruits and vegetables. More than 25,000 low-income children and their families attended the SDUSD events during the summer. In all, SDUSD distributed nearly 40 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income families.
Palm Springs Unified School District in Palm Springs (Riverside County) was also given recognition for going above and beyond in their commitment and efforts in the category of "Service in Distinctive or Rural/Underserved Communities."
The Sunshine Award recognizes the outstanding achievement of individuals and groups to provide nutritious meals to children during the summer months. The Summer Food Service Program was established to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Free meals that meet federal nutrition requirements are provided to all children at approved sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children.
Normally during the school year, socioeconomically disadvantaged children are eligible to receive at least one nutritious meal a day while at school. But when school is out during the summer recess, children can miss out on well-balanced and nutritious meals that are important to their growth and development. When children do not receive proper nutrition, they are more likely to become ill and are not able to concentrate or perform well in school. Summer feeding programs are vital to helping students develop good eating habits that will carry over the rest of their lives.
"California has seen a marked increase in the number of children participating in the free and reduced-priced meals program during the school year because of the tough economic times," added O'Connell. "Yet during the summer, millions of children are eligible for summer meal programs, but only a fraction of them take advantage of it. I strongly urge parents to bring their children to summer meal programs so their children will be well nourished and ready to learn in the fall when they return to school."
For more information on California food programs, please visit Food Programs - Student Health & Support.
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Jack O'Connell — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100