From the Alabama
Department of Education
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Action for Healthy Kids (AHK) has recognized four Alabama school districts – Elmore County Schools, Hale County Schools, Haleyville City Schools, and Marshall County Schools – with a Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) Recognition Award.
Three districts – Hale County Schools, Haleyville City Schools, and Marshall County Schools – received the Innovation in Nutrition Education award which recognizes the implementation of nutrition education activities that make classroom, cafeteria, community, and home connections for students and parents/guardians.
Elmore County Schools received notification that they were also selected for an HMI award – Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals – which recognizes schools who plan and prepare scratch recipes for school breakfast and lunch. Each of these districts held impactful Team Nutrition Open House events which were a component of the FY 22 Team Nutrition Training Grant awarded to the Alabama State Department of Education.
The dedication demonstrated by Elmore County Schools, Hale County Schools, Haleyville City Schools, and Marshall County Schools reflects a strong commitment to fostering a healthier future for their students and communities.
As part of this recognition, representatives from these four districts have been invited to participate in the Healthy Meals Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, from October 21-23, 2024.
The summit will bring together leaders in school nutrition from across the country to share best practices, explore new strategies, and celebrate the successes of districts like Elmore County Schools, Hale County Schools, Haleyville City Schools, and Marshall County Schools.
“We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by these districts,” said Angelice Lowe, Child Nutrition Programs Director of the Alabama State Department of Education. “This award is a testament to Alabama’s schools who are committed to health and wellness, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals and the knowledge to make healthy choices.”
This award not only highlights the achievements of Elmore County Schools, Hale County Schools, Haleyville City Schools, and Marshall County Schools but also serves as a model for other districts across the nation. The Alabama State Department of Education commends these districts for their ongoing efforts to improve the health and well-being of students.
For more information about the HMI Recognition Award and the upcoming Healthy Meals Summit, please visit Recognition Awards – Action for Healthy Kids www.healthymealsincentives.org
