Priority: School Nutrition/Competitive Foods

NYS Health Impact Statements

The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) is pleased to announce the release of four new Health Impact Statements: “Increasing Physical Activity at Schools in New York State”, “Improving Nutrition at Schools in New York State”, “Implementing Food Standards in New York State”, and “Increasing Breastfeeding in New York State”. From 2013-2018, NYS DOH received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address the problem of obesity by increasing physical activity opportunities for students; improving the nutrition environment for students; implementing food service guidelines at community sites including work places, hospitals, municipalities and community-based organizations; and promoting, supporting and protecting breastfeeding in hospitals, health care practices, worksites and community organizations. The attached reports summarize the impact that this funding had on children and adults in NYS. Each report includes a description of the problem, the intervention, and the health impact. These reports have been approved for public use. Feel free to share them with partners or colleagues that are involved in initiatives to decrease obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and increase breastfeeding.

Active transportation CSPAP Healthy Meetings Physical activity before and after school Physical activity during school Physical Education Recess School Nutrition Wellness Committees

Child Nutrition Site Visit Guide

The Child Nutrition Programs benefit millions of low-income children each day, providing healthy food both in and out of school. These programs are public policy at its best, and that is why it is critically important for advocates to invite Members of Congress, as well as state and local elected officials, to visit Child Nutrition Program sites. Seeing children engaged in activities and eating nutritious meals can move an elected official to become a champion for strengthening the programs. This fact sheet offers steps for organizing, planning and hosting a Child Nutrition site visit for Members of Congress, as well as state and local elected officials.

Farm to School

Social Determinants of Health

This website provides CDC resources for SDOH data, tools for action, programs, and policy. They may be used by people in public health, community organizations, and health care systems to assess SDOH and improve community well-being.

Fast Facts

The documents found at the links below provide facts from up-to-date studies and “fast facts” written in consumer friendly language. To reduce review time, materials developed using facts from these documents exactly as they are written will not need additional science review, which will reduce the overall product review time.

CSPAP Healthy Food Environment School Nutrition School Wellness Policy

State Farm to School Positions Guide

Through this resource, stakeholders will find the information they need to strategically advocate for the creation of more state farm to school positions in state agencies and university Extension programs, including insight into the process of position creation and the benefits of these roles. Included are a list of existing state farm to school positions – both in state agencies and in university Extension offices – four state case studies, an analysis of the current landscape of state farm to school positions, and sample job descriptions for some of the positions featured in the resource.

Farm to School

State Farm to School Networks Toolkit

State farm to school networks are key to bringing together diverse sectors and stakeholders and creating a united voice and set of priorities to propel the movement. This toolkit is designed to demonstrate best practices and lessons learned from existing state farm to school networks and to provide users with key strategies and approaches for developing and sustaining state farm to school networks. The toolkit includes a primer on general network models and development, a deep dive into state farm to school network best practices, case studies highlighting successful tools and tactics, and an analysis on challenges for and the future of state farm to school networks.

Farm to School

School Fundraisers: Make Money and a Positive Impact!

Raising money through fundraisers can support the financial health of schools. Yet, when non-nutritious foods are sold, it is at the expense of the health and well-being of children and their families. Eating habits are greatly influenced by the types of foods and beverages that are available. When schools sell candy, cookies, and other unhealthy foods, they are increasing their availability. Schools across New York are changing how they fundraise—whether it’s to provide fun, family activities; to help community members recycle unwanted electronics; or to sell school promotional items—to make a positive impact in the community. Some of the most successful ideas are provided on this handout.

Fundraising Healthy Food Environment School Nutrition Staff Involvement

ESSA Resources

Right now, every state is putting together a comprehensive plan to ensure all students receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. These plans are required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), recently passed by Congress. To help every student succeed, Voices for Healthy Kids is advocating for physical education to be included in every state’s ESSA plans. PE addresses the needs of the whole child, positively impacting their physical, mental and emotional health, making it a critical part of every child’s education. The resources below can help deliver an important message to education leaders in your state:

CSPAP School Nutrition School Wellness Policy

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