Questions? Looking for a resource? Contact Carrie Scheidel at carrie.scheidel@iowa.gov. 

Healthiest State Walk Join schools, workplaces, communities and individuals across the state by being a part of the Healthiest State Initiative annual walk on October 2, 2019. Creating a walk is easy to do and is a fun, free way to promote physical activity with students and staff. Learn more and register your walk!

School Spotlight!  Northstar Elementary in the Knoxville CSD kicked off their Mileage Club, a recess running program, by going over the route and enjoying samples of fruits and vegetables.  They started the club as a way to get kids moving at recess and encourage a lifelong love of running and walking. After each lap, students use an iPad to scan the barcode on their wristband. PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) has also been incorporated into the program: 10 miles = 10 Panther Tickets, which the students can utilize in the Panther Store. Teachers have been surprised to see increased attention and focus in the classroom right after recess! For more information contact Angie Mitchell at angie.mitchell@kcsd.k12.ia.us.  Funding was provided by Knoxville PTO and a sub-grant from Iowa Department of Education's Team Nutrition Program.

Healthy Choices Count Summit On October 22, join teachers, healthcare providers, early care providers and community leaders from across the state to learn how the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! initiative can help your school make the healthy choice the easy choice through a variety of expert speakers and community coalitions.Click here to learn more about the event. Mileage and sub-pay reimbursement is available for schools and there will be an  opportunity to apply for a $500 sub-grant.

Getting ready for an upcoming school wellness committee meeting? Utilize the Learning Connection Fact Sheet from Action for Healthy Kids to set the stage of why this work is so important! It includes information and how nutrition and physical activity opportunities at school can improve memory, focus, absenteeism, and grades.

Don't forget to utilize our School Wellness webpage that includes a collection of resources to support implementation of your school wellness policy. 

Offer vs. Serve Resources USDA has released new resources to support Offer vs. Serve implementation at your school! Posters: download and print these posters to use as signage to educate students in selecting a reimbursable lunch under Offer versus Serve.  Tip Sheets: designed for school food service professionals to provide an overview of offer versus serve guidance for breakfast and lunch.

Schools in the News!

• Vinton-Shellsburg to Start Serving Local Food for School Meals
• School Food Service Director Shares Insights on Student Nutrition (Marshalltown CSD)
• Hampton-Dumont Gardening Club Combines Planting and Culinary Knowledge
• Waukon School Gardens Flourish

Is Your School Signed Up for Iowa Local Food Day? October is Farm to School Month and a great way to celebrate Iowa’s farmers is by participating in Iowa Local Food Day on Friday, October 11th! Last year over 170,000 meals were served across the state that included local foods. To participate schools must serve at least 2 local items for breakfast or lunch. Marketing supplies are available (banners, stickers, totes for staff and items for your cafeteria) to help schools promote the event. Learn more or sign up today by visiting Iowa Local Food Day!

Check out Cal CSD's Homecoming Week Menu! 

Contact Tami Williamson for more information: twilliamson@cam.k12.ia.us

Upcoming News to Know Webinars

• How to Best Utilize Your USDA Foods Pal Dollars: Monday, Sept 23rd 2-3pm 
• Strategies to Increase School Breakfast Participation: Monday, Oct. 28th 2-3pm

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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter ad- dressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the com- plaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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2. Fax: (202) 690-7442
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement

It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone numbers 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.