Dallas School Gets an ‘A’ for Promoting 3E’s

I was happy to learn recently that one Texas school is going the extra mile in embracing the 3E’s of Healthy Living - Exercise, Education and Eating Right.

The team at A+ Academy Charter School in south Dallas is delivering this message straight to their students. This picture of the cafeteria bulletin board is a good example of the commitment of Cafeteria Manager Doreen Gisler and Child Nutrition Director Judy Jones to helping improve the health of the 1,092 students at the school.

It’s great to see nutrition professionals going out of their way to teach Texas children the value of living a healthy lifestyle. I urge all parents, teachers, coaches and other role models to adopt a similar enthusiasm for the health of our next generation.

Finding the right activity for your child is important

You hear it time and time again – Texas is battling a growing obesity crisis. This is a fact most of us understand.

Similarly, most of us know what foods are nutritious and which aren’t. But many parents may not know what types of physical activities their children should participate in and how often.

This article does a great job outlining doctor-approved guidelines for keeping your children active. I encourage parents to take a look and try to incorporate some of these fun activities into their kids’ daily routines.

Remember, it takes more than just eating healthy to live a healthy life. It takes the 3E’s – Education, Exercise and Eating Right – to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Going to Bat for Childhood Nutrition

Guest Blogger: Lindsay Rodgers, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Food and Nutrition

In keeping with the spirit of the World Series, teams of Texas child nutrition professionals recently went to bat on behalf of nutrition and wellness.

Taking the field Oct. 23 in the Mount Pleasant area of East Texas, the Lunch Bunch Fall Softball Tournament of Champions covered all the bases of good fun and friendly competition. In the end, the Pittsburg ISD Peaches beat the Mt. Pleasant ISD Café’ Divas and the Hughes Springs ISD Chili Peppers to take the championship title.

The tournament was such a hit, the nutrition pros have agreed to continue their exercise efforts and play at least one tournament every fall and spring.

Let's applaud these teams for stepping up to the plate on game day and every day to promote the 3E’s of Healthy Living - Education, Exercise and Eating Right!

Nutrition Education Outreach Grants Awarded

Guest Blogger: Angela Olige, Assistant Commissioner for Food and Nutrition Division

As childhood obesity becomes a growing public health concern, the need for better health and nutrition education has never been greater. I'm proud to say that need is being better served following TDA's announcement today that $414,000 has been awarded to 112 Texas school campuses and community organizations. The grants will fund better health and nutrition education and outreach as TDA continues to partner with schools and other organizations to promote the 3E's of Healthy Living - Education, Exercise and Eating Right.

To see the complete list of grant recipients, go here.

To read the press release announcing this exciting news, go here.

TDA will accept another round of applications for the Nutrition Outreach Program this fall. To learn more about the Nutrition Outreach Program, visit www.TexasAgriculture.gov. You can also contact the Grants office at (512) 475-1615 or email Grants@TexasAgriculture.gov for more information.

Obesity Awareness Week: Energy Imbalance

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Chief Nutrition Coordinator, Paige Abernathy, will be guest blogging throughout Texas Obesity Awareness Week. Read her blog to find out interesting obesity facts, and tips on losing weight.

An energy imbalance is simply consuming more calories than you expend through daily activity. To prevent obesity, you should be more physically active and monitor portions and calories.

If you eat more than usual one day, don’t forget to get in some extra exercise. It’s a balancing act that will pay off in the end. Try to keep your portion size down, and your exercise level up.

For individual nutrition recommendations and tips for the whole family visit www.MyPyramid.gov.

Reminding Parents and Kids to Start the Day with School Breakfast

Yolanda Reyes - Vice Principal, Janice Weston - Principal,Trina Linder - Cafeteria Manager, Yvonne Seiders - Asst. Director of Food Services

It’s National School Breakfast Week, and today I continued my campaign to remind children all across the great state of Texas about the importance of starting their day with a healthy, nutritious breakfast and the role of our dedicated farmers and ranchers.

I talked with Joe Bickett of FOX 7 News live from Lucy Reed Pre-Kindergarten School to showcase the quality meals that are available all across Texas. Every day in our state, over one million students participate in the national School Breakfast Program. But, we can do more to win the war on child obesity.

Parents and students must always remember that good grades start with good nutrition

You can watch my interview here:

What the Economic Stimulus Means to Texas

Whether you are in favor of the federal stimulus package or against it, Congress has acted and President Obama has signed the economic stimulus bill into law.

As a result, Texas is poised to receive more than $16 million for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s nutrition and food distribution programs. Just over $8 million will help schools across Texas buy better cooking equipment, enabling them to prepare healthier meals, and to purchase additional refrigeration to hold more fresh produce, in turn helping TDA with its mission to curb childhood obesity.

Another $8 million or so will go to the Texas Commodity Assistance Program – a critical program that provides USDA commodities, such as fruits and vegetables, to underprivileged individuals through food banks and other emergency food services. This relief is coming at a time when food banks are seeing a heavier demand than usual.

The bottom line is the Texas economy is in much better shape than that of most states in the U.S. Still, no Texan is immune to the challenges our economy faces. That’s why TDA is working with agribusinesses, producers, lawmakers and other stakeholders to ensure the Texas agriculture industry is doing its part to keep Texas’ economy strong.

Good Practices for Fruits and Veggies

I think it is very fitting the Texas Department of Agriculture serves as the administrator for our state's school lunch and breakfast programs. There’s no better place than the agency that works with and promotes the best interests of our state’s farmers and ranchers who produce high-quality, nutritious, life-sustaining foods that we all too often take for granted.

I was particularly encouraged by two elementary schools, O.A. Peterson in Fort Worth and Sendera Ranch in Haslet, that are working with food service provider Aramark to creatively encourage students to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Their story was featured in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.

What really caught my attention in the story was these quotes from Michelle DoPorto, a mom at Sendera Ranch Elementary, describing how the school’s efforts had enthusiastically made her 7-year-old son, Trey, make some unique choices.

“He came home and said: ‘Mom, I had an apple. I got some broccoli,’” DoPorto said. “He is very particular about what he eats. There’s something about hearing it from a doctor or a teacher. It just seems more meaningful than when Mom and Dad say it.”

And it just can’t be said any better. We all need to give a big thanks to Texas teachers and doctors who not only recognize the importance of healthy choices, but who take the time and energy to steer our children in the right direction to live long, healthy lives.

Click here to find out more about TDA’s efforts in encouraging children to adopt the 3Es of Healthy Living – Education, Exercise and Eating Right.