HSC board member Sheelah Muhammad samples healthy school food items that will be served in Chicago public schools this year at the Go for the Gold launch luncheon on Aug. 17
Chicago
responds to First Lady Michelle Obama’s Challenge to Reverse Trend in Childhood
Obesity
Healthy Schools
Campaign (HSC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Go for the Gold
campaign, a partnership of HSC, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the USDA Midwest
and the Illinois State Board of Education Department of Nutrition. Go for the
Gold will support Chicago public schools in meeting the high standards for
food, fitness and nutrition education set by the HealthierUS School Challenge,
the program First Lady Michelle Obama is promoting in the effort to reverse the
trend in childhood obesity.
“It’s
exciting to see parents, business leaders, chefs, school nurses and so many
others from across the city come together in this effort to provide healthy
school environments for Chicago’s children,” said HSC founding executive
director Rochelle Davis.
The
campaign builds on the new nutrition standards for school food that CPS
announced in April 2010. The new standards meet and in many cases exceed the
gold standard of the HealthierUS School Challenge. The challenge includes
standards for school food, physical activity, physical education and nutrition
education. Go for the Gold will connect schools with community resources to
assist them in providing nutrition education and opportunities for physical
activity.
“We
recognize the vital connection between health and learning,” said Chicago Board
of Education President Mary Richardson-Lowry. “The new school menus being
offered this school year represent a huge step forward in providing our
students with healthy and nutritious meals. The Go for the Gold campaign is
exciting for our entire CPS community and extends our commitment to student
wellness.”
HSC
and CPS have established a civic and business advisory committee to support Go
for the Gold. This committee creates an opportunity to bring together a group
of talented, committed leaders and create the space to make new connections,
formulate innovative ideas and strategies, and encourage the emergence of
city-wide support for a school environment that promotes healthy eating and
physical activity for all children.
The Go for the Gold civic and business
advisory committee will be led by founding co-chairs Karen Atwood, president of
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and Terry Mazany, President/CEO of The Chicago
Community Trust.
“In
order for Go for the Gold to succeed, schools will need support from everyone
in our community, including our philanthropic community and corporations,” said
Atwood. “It’s an honor to lend our support to this city-wide effort for our
children’s health.”
“Chicago
is responding in powerful way to First Lady Michelle Obama’s call for action
for our nation’s children,” said Mazany. “This effort will have an immediate
impact on students across the city and will bring benefits that can last a
lifetime.”
The
HealthierUS School Challenge is a program of the USDA. To date, only three
schools in Illinois and 773 schools nationwide have met the HealthierUS School
Challenge.
“The
ambition and dedication behind Go for the Gold are truly remarkable,” said Ollice
Holden, Midwest Regional Administrator, USDA/FNS. “This is truly the
on-the-ground embodiment of the First Lady’s vision for our children’s future.”
To
learn more about the Go for the Gold campaign, visit www.goforthegoldCPS.org.
Comments