February, 2012

http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/HealthierUS/index.html

ObjectiveProvide an overview of nutrition education,

physical activity, and wellness policy criteria on HUSSC applications.

HUSSC Goal

Improve the health of the nation’s children by promoting healthier

school environments.

Childhood Obesity Initiative

America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids

www.letsmove.gov

Help parents make healthy choices. Serve healthier food in schools. Improve access and affordability of

healthy food. Increase physical activity.

HUSSC App. Page 8

HUSSC App. Page 9

HUSSC App. Page 9a

School Health Policies & PracticesHUSSC app page 11

NutritionFundraising/FoodsPhysical activityWellness policy

Policies & practices support a consistent wellness environment

HUSSC App. Page

11

HUSSC app page 11

School Policies & Practices

NutritionProhibit the use of any food as a reward for performance.Related items exempt from HUSSC criteria:

Holiday celebrations, birthday parties. Non-food rewards on next 2 slides.

Fundraising/FoodsAfter school, or non-food fundraising.If fundraiser foods are sold during the day, they must

meet competitive foods criteria.Reminder: HUSSC criteria apply during the school day.

http://www.healthysd.gov/Documents/NonfoodRewards.pdf

HUSSC app page 11

School Policies & Practices

Physical activityNeither deny nor require physical activity as a

means of punishment.

Wellness Policy (WP)Best to address the physical activity/punishment,

and food as reward issues in the WP, to be clear,Or create an addendum to ‘correct’ if the WP

conflicts with HUSSC.For school WPs that do not address these issues.

Answering the HUSSC application questions are all that is needed, without any further documentation.

Wellness Policy Conflicts with HUSSCPossible Addendum

“All district schools applying for the USDA’s Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) awards will meet or exceed any HUSSC criteria standard itemized in the district

wellness policy.” 

Signed/Dated: Principal (if school app)or

Superintendent (if district app)

• New HUSSC standards, new application. http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/HealthierUS/2012criteria.html

• Reflecting the new menu patterns.•MyPlate vegetable sub-groups

•http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/vegetables.html •Whole grains meet 1 of these criteria:

–Whole grains per serving must be ≥ 8 grams –Product includes FDA’s whole grain health claim on its packaging –Product ingredient listing lists whole grain first

• HUSSC will always go beyond the federal minimum requirements.

• To reward schools who have made themselves healthier

• How long will the current application be accepted?

• Get current-version applications submitted ASAP.

Resources

http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/

http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/

January, 2012

http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/HealthierUS/index.html

Steven Bergonzoni, MPA, RD, LDN Marlene SteinNutritionist Program Specialist

Special Nutrition ProgramsSchools, Summer and Nutrition Education Section

Mid-Atlantic Region, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA

Steve.bergonzoni@fns.usda.gov Marlene.stein@fns.usda.gov