Help students add more physical activity to their school day with a recess running program or a before/afterschool running club! These programs require very little equipment and minimal costs. Volunteer involvement is essential, so make sure to involve parents in the planning. Check out how Iowa schools are making it happen!

Mary Greely Mileage Club (Ames and surrounding schools)

Crocker Cruisers (Crocker Elementary - Ankeny CSD) 

Kid Striders (Carver Elementary - Des Moines Public Schools)

The Iowa Department of Public Heath Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Iowa Nutrition Network School Grant Program is open for applications. The program includes funding for Pick a better snack nutrition education lessons by an outside educator for K-3 students.

Applicants will apply for a 6-year project period beginning October 1, 2018. Priority schools are those with high percentages of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. To learn more and apply, go to Iowagrants.gov. For more information, contact Suzy at suzy.wilson@idph.iowa.gov.

Iowa Department of Education's Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are partnering to hold school meal trainings this summer. Descriptions and registration can be found at: https://register.extension.iastate.edu/schoolfoods

Procurement Basics - June 5

ServSafe - June 19

HACCP 101 - June 20

Manager Update - June 28
Keynote speaker: Dr. Katie Wilson has 30 years administrative experience with school nutrition serving as a Program Director, Executive Director of the Institute for Child Nutrition and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services.

Healthy School Meals (July 31 - August 1)

New Manager Orientation (July 31 - August 2)

Questions? Contact Jean jean.easley@iowa.gov.

School Breakfast Grants: $2,000 - $3,000 (must have a free and reduced percentage of 40% or greater).

Game On Grants: $500 - $1,000 (all schools are encouraged to apply, however schools with 50% or higher free and reduced percentage may receive priority).

Parents for Healthy Kids Grants: up to $1,000 (all schools are encouraged to apply, however schools with 50% or higher free and reduced percentage may receive priority).

Questions? Contact Ashley at acarroll@actionforhealthykids.org.

Team Nutrition is the March topic for this webinar series. Team Nutrition provides training and technical assistance for school nutrition directors and staff, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity. Team Nutrition provides curricula, posters, parent handouts, and other resources free-of-charge to schools. Learn about Team Nutrition resources including an overview of School Wellness and Smart Snack requirements to support the school wellness environment at your school. March 26th 2-3pm. Click here to register!

The Iowa Farm to School Coalition is pleased to invite individuals and groups to submit presentation proposals for the 2018 Iowa Farm to School Conference to be held June 29th in Ankeny. The goal of the conference is to support and inspire those interested in or already implementing farm to school and farm to early care and education all around the state by covering a variety of topics. Please take this opportunity to share your expertise and creative ideas to help grow the farm to school movement in Iowa. Submission deadline is March 31st. 
Proposal Template  Proposal Google Form  Questions? Contact Chelsea.krist@foodcorps.org.

As part of USDA’s commitment to ensure that programs are delivered efficiently and effectively, and to avoid duplicating the efforts of the private sector, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service will no longer be accepting applications for the HealthierUS School Challenge Award Program, effective July 1, 2018.

USDA will continue to work with schools during this phase-out period and provide support as they close-out the application process. Any applications submitted to State agencies by June 30, 2018 will be reviewed for approval. The USDA National Office will announce the final set of awards by December 31, 2018.

If you are interested in applying for this award before the end of the school year, please contact Carrie carrie.scheidel@iowa.gov for technical assistance.