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March 2011

In This Issue
~ Hunger Free Kids Act
~ Diary of a Determined Director

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Greetings!

 

Here at Build-a-Tray, we've been studying the wide-ranging impact of the new Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Below, you'll discover some of the ways the Act can help you advance your school's nutrition education and obesity prevention programs.  
What you need to know...

 

In addition to the summary of the Act's provisions you'll find here, the Act authorizes funding for federal school meal and child nutrition programs and increases access to healthy food for low-income children.
  
Let's Get Caught in the Act

 

Now's a good time to incorporate Build-a-Tray into your food service plan for the future. Why? 

  • Among other funding, the Act reauthorizes child nutrition programs for five years and includes $4.5 billion in new funding for these programs over 10 years.
  • The Act allows States to implement nutrition education and obesity prevention programs through an approved State plan: The mandatory funding for FY 2011 is $375 million. Subsequent years will be adjusted for inflation.

There's a lot of potential funding in this groundbreaking Act and you'll read about how you can access some of these funds in upcoming Build-a-Tray Bulletins.

Diary of a Determined Director 
Debbie Beauvais
  Debbi Beauvais's Story of How She Implemented
The Build-a-Tray Program

 

"Build-A-Tray... the Gates Chili Way"

Two schools in my District received a tray line equipment makeover and we topped it off with the Build-A-Tray Marketing Sign Kit.  

 

We are implementing the program one component at a time to be sure we reap all the benefits of this educational nutrition program.


Our first step was to install the unique Build-a-Tray signage over our serving lines. That gave us the opening day "WOW" factor and got students and staff talking. 


Next, on the seating side of our cafeteria, we added the storefront Cafe Sign, the Moov'em Signs, the Build-A-Tray poster, and the Lunch Boards. This created an added "WOW" effect that really ties the serving line to the seating area. 


Finally, we brainstormed with The Artworks Team to devise a way to incorporate our washable trays to display The Build-A-Tray icons in each compartment of the tray so that students would understand the "Game" side of "Build-A-Tray."  (We don't plan to purchase the embossed "Build-A-Tray" disposable trays.) 

The sample trays the Artworks Team came up with really added that final finishing touch to the serving area decor and gave the students a chance to see what this program is all about. The trays visually connect with the Build-A-Tray poster. 

 

Our next steps include:

  • Parent and staff communications announcing The Build-A-Tray Program
  • Training staff so that the "Game" can begin.   

Check back with me next month to see how it all came together and the impact it has had on our meal program and participation.


Debbi Beauvais, RD SNS                      

Gates Chili School District, Rochester NY 
The Artworks Shop | P.O. Box 97 | Bolton, Massachusetts 01740 | 978-772-2787
 

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The Artworks Shop | P.O. Box 97 | Bolton | MA | 01740