New Project Aims to Empower NEA Members to Improve Snack Foods and Drinks in Schools
December 18, 2012
Contact: Zachary Kolsky
202-822-7778
[email protected]
New Project Aims to Empower NEA Members to Improve Snack Foods and Drinks in Schools
NEA Health Information Network provides online resources
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to create healthier schools, the NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) released new resources to help educators and other school employees advocate for changes that will limit the availability of junk foods and sugary beverages and give students more nutritious options. The Healthy School Food Advocacy project focuses on improving the nutritional quality of snacks and drinks available in vending machines, school stores, fundraisers and cafeteria à la carte lines.
Today, more than 23.5 million children and teens in the United States—nearly one in three young people—are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for a host of chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension and cancer. The consumption of junk foods and sugary beverages contributes to the childhood obesity epidemic, making the widespread availability of these items in our nation’s schools especially worrisome. Emerging research shows that children who are overweight or obese do not do as well in school and that they struggle with the health and emotional impacts of carrying excess weight.
While federal nutrition standards that aim to improve school meals went into effect in Fall 2012, federal nutrition standards for the foods and beverages available outside of school meals have not been updated in more than 30 years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to propose new standards for such snacks and beverages in early 2013. Some states have set strong nutritional standards for snack foods and beverages sold in schools, but policies vary widely from state to state. This means that many students can buy sugary drinks, candy, ice cream and other sweets from vending machines, stores and other places on campus. New resources from NEA HIN provide research and solutions for schools on policy approaches, describe how selling healthy options impacts school revenue, and explain some of the myths behind “sports” drinks.
As the health and safety arm of the National Education Association, NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) is working with NEA state affiliates to advocate for healthy snack foods and beverages in schools with a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. As part of this work, NEA HIN will be launching campaigns in several states in 2013 to help ensure that students have healthy choices available throughout the school day.
The project, which has just completed its first year, provides training and informational materials for NEA leaders and members about the issue and about actions they can take as informed champions for healthy snack foods and beverages in schools.
For more information about the NEA HIN Healthy School Food Advocacy project and to download the resources, visit www.BagtheJunk.org.
About NEA Health Information Network
The NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) is the non-profit health and safety arm of the National Education Association. The organization provides health and safety information, programs, and services for the benefit of over three million NEA members and 43 million students. NEA HIN’s mission is to improve the health and safety of the school community through dissemination of information that empowers school professionals and positively impacts the lives of their students. For more information on NEA HIN, please visit https://www.neahin.org
About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change. For 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter www.rwjf.org/twitter or Facebook www.rwjf.org/facebook.