Children and youth spend roughly half of their waking hours in a school setting and learn some of life’s most important lessons within a school’s walls. Because schools are such an integral part of a developing child’s lifestyle, it is important to provide them with an environment that supports and models healthy behavior. Because children learn, eat and play at school during the years when they acquire lifestyle habits, it is essential that our school environments provide safe options for physical activity, nutritious foods and healthy beverages.
The benefits of healthy schools are astounding: *
- Improved attendance of students and staff
- Improved academic performance
- Improved classroom behavior
- Increased graduation rates
- Motivated school staff
- Increased community connectedness
Current MMS SHIP Interventions
Healthy Eating in Schools
- Partner with local schools to implement comprehensive nutrition policies including: breakfast promotion; healthy lunch and snacks, including classroom celebrations and incentives, fundraising, concessions, and vending; school gardens; and Farm-to-School initiativesFarm-to-School programs connect schools with locally grown foods to incorporate into their school meals. To learn more about the Farm-to-School program, visit the Farm to School Minnesota Toolkit for Food Service
Resources
- Guide to Healthy School Fundraising
- Guide to Healthy School Stores and Vending Machines
- Alliance for a Healthier Generation – School Tool kits
- Healthier Alternatives for Celebrations and Snacks
- SHIP and Schools Fact Sheet
- Locally Grown Food Directory- Online Version
- Guide to HEALTHY Classroom Snacks
For resources specific to your county, please go to Meeker, McLeod, and Sibley County’s individual resource pages.
Wondering how you can get yourself or your school involved with MMS Healthy Communities Collaborative? Contact your local Healthy Communities Coordinator.
