The Howard County Public School System’s (HCPSS) Office of Food and Nutrition Services and the Horizon Foundation kicked off a new pilot program focused on promoting the link between nutrition, education, physical activity and living a healthy lifestyle. The program was featured in the Baltimore Sun and Howard County Times.
The school system is opening new fresh fruit and vegetable bars in April at three HCPSS elementary schools: Bollman Bridge, Laurel Woods and Talbott Springs. These fruit and vegetable bars will be stocked with a selection of seasonal offerings such as red grapes, tangerines, cucumbers and Romaine lettuce.
Check out the colorful new fresh fruit & veggie bar we celebrated at @hcpss_tses w/ @SuperHCPSS #HoCoMD #schoollunch pic.twitter.com/6Nh6jqa3cq
— Horizon Foundation (@thehorizonfound) April 6, 2016
This two-year pilot program is funded by a $200,000 grant from the Horizon Foundation and will double the amount of fruit and vegetables offered at lunchtime in the schools. To introduce students and families to the new offerings, schools will offer taste testing events. Also as part of the pilot, each school will collaborate with community partners to offer several hands-on programs for families to learn about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
Read the press release from HCPSS.
Read the Howard County Times story.
HCPSS Superintendent Renee Foose, Talbott Springs Elementary School Principal Nancy Thompson and Horizon Foundation CEO Nikki Highsmith Vernick at the opening of the fresh fruit and vegetable bar at Talbott Springs.
