1. Over the next school year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture,  working with partners in schools and the private sector will  double the number of schools that meet the Healthier US Schools Challenge and add 1,000 schools per year for two years after that.  (http://www.letsmove.gov/schools/index.html)

In the Institute of Medicine’s 2009 report School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children, the committee recommends that school meals should include more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; set a minimum and maximum level of calories; and decrease the amount of fat and sodium.  Within five years, major school food suppliers plan to meet these recommendations in order to help more schools meet the HealthierUS Schools Challenge. For more information about the HealthierUS Schools Challenge or to apply, visit the Healthier US Challenge website.

2. Child Nutrition Reauthorization 

The Administration has proposed a $1 billion increase in the federal budget to be spread out over the next ten years in an attempt to improve the quality of school meals, increase participation, and ensure resources are available to schools in order to make these changes.  The expectation is that within the next five years, one million more children will participate in the School Lunch Program.What else is Let’s Move doing to combat childhood obesity?In addition to improving the school meals environment, Let’s Move is engaging parents and providing resources to engage parents in order to help them be good role models and ultimately improve the health of children.Let’s Move is also committed to increasing physical activity opportunities for kids and families as well as focusing on access to healthy and affordable food in communities across the country.  Check out their website for more information.For more information or to join, go to the Lets Move website.

(http://www.letsmove.gov/schools/index.html)