Howard County Receives National School Health Award

Schools Recognized for Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs

BALTIMORE – Seventy-five public schools in Howard County recently gained national recognition by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for achieving honors in the HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms (HUSSC: SL). Overall, the district earned one gold, seven silver and 67 bronze awards.

The HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms is a voluntary certification initiative recognizing schools enrolled in Team Nutrition that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The Smarter Lunchrooms movement brings evidence from the fields of the value of economics, marketing, and psychology to the school lunch program which can simultaneously improve participation and profits while decreasing waste.

Howard County joins a select group of only about 7 percent of schools throughout the United States that are certified as HUSSC schools. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the USDA commend Howard County Public Schools for their leadership and teamwork to improve the quality of foods served, promoting physical activity, and maintaining a strong school wellness policy.

Each school will receive a HUSSC award plaque, a banner to display, and a monetary award to acknowledge their achievement. Schools are posted on the Team Nutrition HUSSC: SL website at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/hussc/maryland-award-winners.

For additional information on Maryland’s School Nutrition Programs, contact the MSDE’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs at 410-767-0199 or visit www.eatsmartmaryland.org.
Information about HUSSC: SL and application materials can be found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/hussc/healthierus-school-challenge-smarter-lunchrooms.

The Maryland State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are equal opportunity employers and providers.