WHITEFISH, Mont. — The Whitefish School District food service department announced it recently won a healthy meals incentive recognition award.
The Lunch Trailblazer Award was given to the school district by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Nutrition Service in collaboration with Action for Healthy Kids.
The award acknowledges the Whitefish School District’s efforts to reduce sodium and meet new dietary guidelines in the meals they offer students.
As an award recipient, the school district received travel stipends to attend a national healthy meal summit.
Officials say the Lunch Trailblazers Award aims to acknowledge the improved nutrition quality of school lunches across the country.
Full Release:
WHITEFISH, MONT. (January 10, 2025) — Whitefish School District has received a Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award for improving the nutritional quality of the district’s school meals.
“Healthy school meals are an essential part of the school environment and a proven tool for improving a child’s health, growth, development, and educational outcomes,” said Dave Means, superintendent of Whitefish School District. “We are happy to celebrate this deserved award from our dedicated Food Service Team.”
Awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in collaboration with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK), Whitefish School District received the “Lunch Trailblazer Award” for its work in reducing sodium and meeting new dietary guidelines.
The “Lunch Trailblazer Award” acknowledges improved nutrition quality of school lunches by meeting weekly sodium guidelines and implementing student engagement and nutrition education. The school district Food Service Team introduced new recipes, offering a delicious lunch makeover with lower sodium.
As an award recipient, the district also receives travel stipends to attend a national Healthy Meals Summit.
“Food brings people together on many different levels, says Dannel Flanagin, Food Service Director for Whitefish School District. “It’s the nourishment of the soul and body. It is truly love.”
“We congratulate the Whitefish Food Service Team on this important achievement,” said Rob Bisceglie, Executive Officer & President for Action for Healthy Kids. “The HMI Recognition Awards are an opportunity to showcase innovative school nutrition practices that provide children with access to nutritious school meals,” he added.
“One of America’s best opportunities to improve child health is through supporting schools in providing tasty and nutritious meals,” said Cindy Long, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administrator. “This Recognition Award highlights the remarkable achievements Whitefish School District has made in offering healthy meals that students enjoy, and we look forward to them sharing their best practices to help other schools follow in their footsteps.”
Long added that USDA school meal programs reach around 30 million children from all communities and backgrounds across the country each school day.
