Lee's Summit School Uses Grant Money to Promote Healthy Meals

Lee's Summit R-7 Nutrition Services effectively uses grant money to promote healthy meals The Lee's Summit R-7 School District is effectively using grant money to promote nutritious foods through the self-supporting Nutrition Services Department. As part of grants through Midwest Dairy Council, General Mills and Fuel Up to Play 60 programs, Nutrition Services is promoting breakfast programs at Meadow Lane and Summit Pointe Elementary Schools. Lee's Summit R-7 was selected as the Fuel Up to Play 60 district, and school staff members received 50 Kansas City Chiefs football tickets for the Nov. 27 game. Students participating in the breakfast programs at Meadow Lane and Summit Pointe were randomly awarded the tickets in pairs so that they could invite an adult. The students and their guests are also invited to a tailgate party hosted by the Kansas City Chiefs and Midwest Dairy Council through the school program. The students will receive dinner, have their photographs taken and participate in activities with dairy producers and farmers. Video footage from the tailgate party will be shown on the jumbotron during halftime and Lee's Summit R-7 will be recognized as the Fuel Up to Play 60 school district.          In addition to the breakfast grant money, Lee's Summit R-7 Nutrition Services was awarded grant monies from Midwest Dairy Council to help introduce new cheese products at Lee's Summit High School and Lee's Summit West High School. Through the grant, Nutrition Services staff is merchandising and selling cheeses that are not necessarily the norm in school cafeterias. All cheeses are individually wrapped and in single-serve size. Students will participate in taste tests, contests and giveaways as part of the promotion. Varieties include cheddar, Swiss American, mozzarella, cojack, Laughing Cow low-fat cheddar, Gouda and yellow wax cheddar. Cafeteria staff members are also offering grab-and-go packages of fruits and cheeses for students to purchase for lunch or after-school snacks. The program will begin in early December. At Greenwood Elementary, Nutrition Services is piloting Pepperidge Farm goldfish bread. The R-7 School District was selected for this pilot from among schools across the nation. Cafeteria staff members will use the whole-grain bread to make grilled cheese that will be served with tomato soup on Dec. 1. Students will also be asked for feedback about the new product, which is thin sliced and shaped like goldfish. R-7 Nutrition Services is recognized for its emphasis on healthy meals as well as involving students in decision-making when it comes to cafeteria meals. Each high schools and middle school has its own Nutrition Council, and representatives from all 18 elementary schools serve on the R-7 Elementary Nutrition Council. Through these groups, students provide feedback on new products and learn about healthy eating habits. For more information about R-7 Nutrition Services, visit http://www.leesummit.k12.mo.us/nutrition/default.htm. Post from http://www.leesummit.k12.mo.us