SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) and Public Education Department report 41 public elementary schools in seven New Mexico counties are being awarded a total of $30,500 for their efforts in the Healthier US Schools Challenge (HUSSC) award from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The HUSSC is a voluntary certification initiative recognizing schools that created healthier learning environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. A complete list of New Mexico schools recognized can be found below.
“Healthy eating and physical activity are two major lifestyle behaviors that can help prevent obesity,” said Department of Health Secretary Lynn Gallagher. “These awards demonstrate the deep commitment these schools have to create and maintain healthy environments, promote healthy eating and physical activity, and invest in their student’s health.”
The New Mexico schools received silver and bronze recognition, with each silver school being awarded $1,000 each and bronze schools $500. The schools will also receive a certificate and banner to display on campus.
To qualify for an award, a school must adopt USDA standards for food served in schools and agree to provide nutrition education and opportunities for physical activity. Schools receiving an award must also have a school wellness policy and commit to meeting criteria throughout their four-year certification period to include:
- Meet all requirements of the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program.
- Serve reimbursable meals that reflect good menu planning principles and appeal to the cultural sensitivities of the school and community populations.
- Plan meals that emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; that include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and that are low in saturated fats, trans-fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
New Mexico schools and districts awarded the HUSSC are located in counties participating in NMDOH’s Healthy Kids Healthy Communities, that works with state and local partners to increase opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity in ten high need counties and three tribal communities across New Mexico. For more information about Healthy Kids Healthy Communities visit here.
Healthier US Schools Challenge - New Mexico Awardees:
Grants/Cibola County School District
- Bluewater Elementary School (Silver)
- Cubero Elementary School (Silver)
- Mesa View Elementary School (Silver)
- Milan Elementary School (Silver)
- Mount Taylor Elementary School (Silver)
- San Rafael Elementary School (Silver)
- Seboyeta Elementary School (Silver)
Portales School District
- R.M. James Elementary School (Silver)
Roswell Independent School District
- Berrendo Elementary School (Silver)
- Del Norte Elementary School (Silver)
- East Grand Plains Elementary School (Silver)
- El Capitan Elementary School (Silver)
- Military Heights Elementary School (Silver)
- Missouri Avenue Elementary School (Silver)
- Monterrey Elementary School (Silver)
- Nancy Lopez Elementary School (Silver)
- Pecos Elementary School (Silver)
- Sunset Elementary School (Silver)
- Valley View Elementary School (Silver)
- Washington Avenue Elementary School (Bronze)
Socorro Consolidated School District
- Parkview Elementary School (Silver)
Animas Public Schools
- Animas Elementary School (Bronze)
Central Consolidated School District
- Eva B. Stokely Elementary School (Bronze)
- Judy Nelson Elementary School (Bronze)
- Kirtland Elementary School (Bronze)
- Mesa Elementary School (Bronze)
- Naschitti Elementary School (Bronze)
- Newcomb Elementary School (Bronze)
- Nizhoni Elementary School (Bronze)
- Ojo Amarillo Elementary School (Bronze)
Clovis Municipal Schools
- Arts Academy Elementary School (Bronze)
- Barry Elementary School (Bronze)
- Cameo Elementary School (Bronze)
- Highland Elementary School (Bronze)
- James Bickley Elementary School (Bronze)
- La Casita Elementary School (Bronze)
- Lockwood Elementary School (Bronze)
- Mesa Elementary School (Bronze)
- Parkview Elementary School (Bronze)
- Sandia Elementary School (Bronze)
- Zia Elementary School (Bronze)