One Step at a Time: Working Toward a Healthier School

Austin, TX, June 20, 2017 (Newswire.com) - ​Annoor Academy of Knoxville is a private school working with children from pre-K through 8th grade. The pre-school has expanded since its opening in 2000 and now serves breakfast, morning snacks, and lunches for 80 to 120 children a day through the CACFP. The pre-school has made a commitment to nutrition, physical activity, and nutrition education. 

The school is trying to limit processed foods. Through generous donations and the Healthy Living Grant, they are making necessary kitchen changes to prepare healthy meals. A full-size salad bar was purchased and has allowed the school to showcase a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables giving children the independence to choose for themselves. The next step is to install a commercial kitchen to eliminate the need for processed foods altogether.

"We want what is best for our students. They need to eat well and be healthy. We have to not only teach the children, but also teach the parents how to make good choices for a healthy lifestyle."

Lara Upchurch, Accounts & Facilities Coordinator, Annoor Academy

The school started construction on a gymnasium and through the second part of the Healthy Living and Fitness Grant, they have been able to hire an outside company to teach the children physical education twice a week. Physical activity is key to children’s overall well-being. They hope to complete the gymnasium project and employ a full-time physical education instructor. Several after school sports clubs have also been established to get students outside often and more physically active. 

Considering the school’s influence is limited by hours in the school day, they have made the initiative to educate parents on the importance of healthy living. Monthly Family Night events are geared toward helping parents adopt healthy habits in the home to promote the whole child’s health education. Topics related to food, nutrition, adequate play and rest time, as well as literacy are covered. 

CACFP is an indicator of quality child care. When children are cared for by providers who are part of the CACFP program they are receiving the best nutrition available. Learn more about other CACFP providers featured in the Member Showcase at CACFP's website, www.cacfp.org.

Since 1986, the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) is the leading national organization for sponsors who administer the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). It provides education and support to thousands of members in the CACFP community and in particular to sponsors of all sizes from across the country. CACFP strives to improve communication between families, caregivers, sponsors, and their supervising government agencies.

Source: National CACFP Sponsors Association