LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Healthy schools initiative improves activity, meals

Dear Editor,

The Healthy Schools New York Initiative in partnership with the Student Support Services Center at Genesee Valley Educational Partnership is assisting school districts in the area with enhancing their wellness policies. This work includes making improvements to increase physical activity and promote healthy foods in school. The HSNY Initiative aligns with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act school meals recommendations as well as the new competitive foods proposal presented by the United States Department of Agriculture. Research supports the policy work of the HSNY Initiative and the USDA’s proposed competitive foods guidance. For example, schools that place lower-calorie products and label healthy items in vending machines increase students’ purchases of healthier, lower-calorie foods. (1.)

In our area schools are actively working to enhance healthy offerings available to students during the school day outside of school meals.

Please support this work in your community.

Sincerely,

JOAN VITKUS

On behalf of the Student Support Services Center, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership

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(1.) “Journal of School Health.” “Promoting the Purchase of Low-Calorie Foods From School Vending Machines: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Study.” 82 (3) March 2012.