PRESS

August 16, 2006
Section: Local
Page: 1E
Alisal school district honored to build healthy communities
Sunita Vijayan
Staff

Nutrition network works to build healthy communities

SUNITA VIJAYAN

The Salinas Californian

The Alisal Union School District was honored Aug. 10 at the California Nutrition Network's state conference in Sacramento. The Salinas district received an award for its pioneering efforts in teaching about nutrition.

With its data showing more than half of California adults to be overweight and 38 percent of children ages 9 to 11 to be obese, battling the disease has become the Central Coast Nutrition Network's main goal for the next 10 years.

The Central Coast Nutrition Network will celebrate its 10-year anniversary later this year. Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Central Coast branch is one of 11 Nutrition Network regions in California. It coordinates federal money and provides support for more than 50 agencies from San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

One of the Nutrition Network's main strategies is building healthy communities where residents have easy access to "good fresh food" and support in becoming physically active, said Christine Dresslar Moss, coordinator for the Central Coast Nutrition Network for the Monterey County Health Department.

"A lot of what we do is education and teaching people what it means to eat healthy," she said. "Most people know this, but creating an environment that teaches what they ought to do, that's the trick."

Schools critical in battle of bulge

While the network involves people of all ages, Moss said educating children on the importance of keeping a healthy weight is crucial in fighting the disease.

"We believe that's where our best hope of success lies..it's better than playing catch up later on," she said.

In 1995, a year before the Central Coast Nutrition Network officially formed, the Alisal Union School District was one of its first pilot programs. The two initially formed a six-week partnership that year, which later showed success through a questionnaire given to students involved, said Suzanne du Verrier, the nutrition education manager for district.

"(They) said they actually felt like they had more accessibility to fruits and vegetables in school than at home," she said.

When the district realized the importance of parents in the program six years ago, Du Verier said, they started to hold meetings for them, teaching them the value of fruits and vegetables, how to correctly read nutrition labels, and about food safety.

Through the district, the program educates more than 500 parents a year.

"Parents of our students say they are surprised to see their children reach for healthier foods, such as baby carrots or grapes, over choices with less nutritional value when they take them grocery shopping," she said. "Even the teachers in the district say the program has had a personal impact on their lifestyles."

Details add up

The program now focuses on students in preschool, kindergarten, fourth and fifth grade. The district will get a $1.6 million, three-year USDA grant Oct. 1 to expand its program to all grade levels, she said.

The AUSD's program brings nutrition specialists to classes each day, educating students about the benefits of healthy eating and living, said du Verier.

Its "Farm to School" project supports a garden at each school site, where students grow their own vegetables.

She said the program has increased not only in participation but results, with more and more students choosing physical activities over playing video games or watching TV.

"All of these things add up, and it's pretty rewarding," du Verier said.

Other than activities and classes, the district's program offers farmers' markets at the schools and health clubs formed by students.

Moss said the network will continue to spread its message through the media and schools.

"Everywhere you look, you're going to get our message," she said.

Contact Sunita Vijayan at svijayan@thecalifornian.com.

When the district realized the importance of parents in the program six years ago, Du Verrier said, they started to hold meetings for them, teaching them the value of fruits and vegetables, how to correctly read nutrition labels, and about food safety.