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Food policy council and Harvard release report on PPS school food
Research shows that school-aged children consume up to fifty percent of their daily calories at school. On May 31, the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC), in partnership with the Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic and Pittsburgh Public Schools released “The Pittsburgh School Food Environment: Strengths and Opportunities in the Pittsburgh Public School District” report at Pittsburgh West Liberty K-5 in Brookline. Students led attendees on guided tours of the school garden, and PPS Food Services provided food samples to guests.
Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which allows the District to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students. Because of this provision, PPS students can consume up to half of their daily meals at school, heightening the importance of such positive changes in school food. Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet stated that “improving accessibility and quality of school food is essential to meeting the holistic needs of all students….students that are hungry or are not well-fed are less likely to be focusing on schoolwork and reaching their innate potential.”
The report highlights the strides PPS has made in creating a healthy school food environment that fosters student growth and success. Recent developments include recognition as a Live Well Allegheny School, participation in the Healthy School Program in partnership with UPMC Children’s Hospital, inclusion of a food purchasing bid requirement that produce be obtained within 150 miles of Pittsburgh, and the installation of filtered water jets in all Pittsburgh Public Schools, among others. PPS has grown its partnerships with area organizations that promote gardening, cooking, nutrition and wellness.
Emma Clippinger, Clinical Fellow at the Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic was a featured speaker at the event. “Though there are federal nutrition standards for school meals that require daily fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while limiting calories, sodium and saturated fat, districts can go above and beyond these requirements. Across the country, food policy councils are proving to be valuable allies for school districts that are making positive changes to school food, ensuring that student wellness remains the top priority. For example, food policy councils work with policymakers to increase funding and support for local purchasing, coordinate with growers to promote farm to school programs, and research the health benefits of scratch cooking.
To celebrate PPS Food Service’s current success in promoting healthy and quality school meals, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (the Food Bank) awarded the District the Crystal Apple Award during the event. Chris West, child nutrition outreach coordinator at the Food Bank explained that ‘PPS was chosen to receive the Food Bank's 2nd Annual Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Child Nutrition this year. From the District's work to increase School Breakfast participation, to their work on Out-of-School Time Meals, to their collaboration on this school food report, they have shown tremendous commitment to the health, well-being, and success of their children.’
The report findings will provide baseline information for future school food work for both the PFPC and PPS, as well as provide a shared understanding of opportunities and national best practices looking ahead.
Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which allows the District to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students. Because of this provision, PPS students can consume up to half of their daily meals at school, heightening the importance of such positive changes in school food. Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet stated that “improving accessibility and quality of school food is essential to meeting the holistic needs of all students….students that are hungry or are not well-fed are less likely to be focusing on schoolwork and reaching their innate potential.”
The report highlights the strides PPS has made in creating a healthy school food environment that fosters student growth and success. Recent developments include recognition as a Live Well Allegheny School, participation in the Healthy School Program in partnership with UPMC Children’s Hospital, inclusion of a food purchasing bid requirement that produce be obtained within 150 miles of Pittsburgh, and the installation of filtered water jets in all Pittsburgh Public Schools, among others. PPS has grown its partnerships with area organizations that promote gardening, cooking, nutrition and wellness.
Emma Clippinger, Clinical Fellow at the Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic was a featured speaker at the event. “Though there are federal nutrition standards for school meals that require daily fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while limiting calories, sodium and saturated fat, districts can go above and beyond these requirements. Across the country, food policy councils are proving to be valuable allies for school districts that are making positive changes to school food, ensuring that student wellness remains the top priority. For example, food policy councils work with policymakers to increase funding and support for local purchasing, coordinate with growers to promote farm to school programs, and research the health benefits of scratch cooking.
To celebrate PPS Food Service’s current success in promoting healthy and quality school meals, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (the Food Bank) awarded the District the Crystal Apple Award during the event. Chris West, child nutrition outreach coordinator at the Food Bank explained that ‘PPS was chosen to receive the Food Bank's 2nd Annual Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Child Nutrition this year. From the District's work to increase School Breakfast participation, to their work on Out-of-School Time Meals, to their collaboration on this school food report, they have shown tremendous commitment to the health, well-being, and success of their children.’
The report findings will provide baseline information for future school food work for both the PFPC and PPS, as well as provide a shared understanding of opportunities and national best practices looking ahead.