Four Tennessee School Systems Recognized by USDA for Best Practices
Nashville, TN – Four Tennessee school systems have received top honors from the United Stated Department of Agriculture for best practices in school nutrition the state Department of Education announced today.
Cleveland City Schools, Unicoi County, Putnam County and Jackson County school systems were recognized by the Southeast Regional Office of the USDA in various categories relating to school health and nutrition including school breakfast expansion, customer service and food safety.
“I am pleased that these school districts are receiving the recognition they deserve for providing our students with healthy options during the school day,” said Tim Webb, Acting Education Commissioner. “Such awards emphasize the important role schools’ food services play in the health, academic success, and overall well-being of our students.”
The four school systems selected by the USDA were chosen from several schools and systems nominated by the state Department of Education. All schools and systems in the state were welcome to apply for consideration in the competition as part of the department’s School Nutrition Program.
The schools and systems nominated were recognized for their performance in one of the following categories determined by the Southeast Regional Office of the USDA: Promoting a Healthy School Environment, Increasing Participating in School Lunch, School Breakfast Expansion, Customer Service, Food Safety, and Creative Utilization of Commodities. This is the 15th year that the Southeast Region of the USDA has held this competition. Overall nine Tennessee programs were nominated. They are:
Promoting a Healthy School Environment
Lakewood Elementary School – Henry Co. Schools
Carpenters Middle School – Blount Co. Schools
Capshaw School – Putnam Co. Schools
Food Safety
Jackson County School System
Customer Services
Putnam County School System
Unicoi County School System
Knox County School System
School Breakfast Expansion
Wilson County Elementary School System
Cleveland City Schools –Mayfield Elementary School
For additional information on the School Nutrition Program, visit http://tennessee.gov/education/support/nutrition.shtml.
For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.