School Nutrition Programs
Healthy School Award Programs
The Montana Team Nutrition Program invites all Montana schools to apply for a Healthy School Award Program and will assist schools in the application process. Be a Healthy School Champion!
Has your school and/or food service program staff worked hard to improve the food choices, nutrition education or physical activity opportunities for your students? If so, we encourage you to apply for one or both award programs that will provide recognition to your school for nutrition excellence and wellness.
Healthy School Award Programs for Montana Schools brochure
There are currently several challenges in place to reward schools that strive to create healthier school environments:
- Healthier US School Challenge
- Healthier Montana Menu Challenge
- Recipes for Healthy Kids Challenge
- Montana’s Healthy School Recipe Roundup Word Version
- Entrees
Entrees
Beef Taco
Beefaroni
Chicken and Biscuits
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Quesadilla
Chicken, Rotini, and Marinara
Marinara Meat Sauce
Pizza Pasta
Santa Fe Pita
Sloppy Joe on a Roll
Soft Shell Tacos
Taco Pocket
Taco Soup
Three Bean Soup- Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and Vegetables
Carrot Bars
Carrot Muffins
Grab ‘n Go Chicken Spinach Salad
Grab ‘n Go Turkey Pasta Salad
Spaghetti Salad
Sweet Potato Bars (Cut Bank)
Sweet Potato Bars (Great Falls)
- Grains and Desserts
Grains and Desserts
Apple Cake
Blueberry Bread Pudding
Blueberry Corn Muffins
Blueberry Muffins
Cheese Biscuits
Cornflake Cookies
Fluffy Whole Wheat Biscuits
Monster Cookies
Montana Trails Cookie
Oatmeal Cherry Chip CookieFor more information on these challenges, please click on the appropriate link located on the left side of this page.
January 2012
A monthly HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) support telephone call, hosted by Montana Team Nutrition, is available to anyone who needs information or has questions about the HUSSC. A toll free number is provided. Calls will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 1:30 – 2:30 pm.
Please join us on: January 11, 2012; February 8, 2012; March 7, 2012 and April 11, 2012.
Dialing instructions:
Anyone dialing in from Helena, MT, please dial 444-7980. Password 4466
Anyone out of the Helena area, please dial 1-888-556-4695. Password 4466
Please note, the phone number and passwords are different than last year’s.
Please contact Molly Stenberg stenberg@montana.edu, if you plan on participating.
Why apply for an award? Allow your school staff to receive:
- Recognition,
- Media Coverage,
- Sense of Pride,
- Achievement, and most of all:
- Accomplishment of creating a school environment that supports better health and academic success for students and staff.
All schools are encouraged to apply.
The Montana Team Nutrition staff is willing to assist with the application processes. If you are interested in applying for an award, please contact Molly Stenberg at the Montana Team Nutrition Program at telephone 406.994.7217 or by e-mail at stenberg@montana.edu, prior to starting the application process.
HealthierUS School Challenge
The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary initiative established by the USDA and is now offering financial incentives to schools that receive awards. It focuses on a three component approach to enhancing school environments: healthy school lunches and competitive foods, nutrition education and physical education and activity.Montana Team Nutrition encourages all Montana schools to apply for a HealthierUS School Challenge award. There is an award level to fit any school:
- Bronze ($500)
- Silver ($1,000)
- Gold ($1,500)
- Gold Award of Distinction ($2,000)
For more information and application materials, visit the USDA's HUSSC Website.
Comparing Traditional Food-Based Menu to the Bronze-Level HUSSC
Please contact Montana Team Nutrition before applying for this award: Molly Stenberg,
(406) 994-7217 or stenberg@montana.edu.How to Succeed in Taking the HealthierUS School Challenge Training PowerPoint Slides 10/21/10
Utilize these resources to complete the application and/or make enhancements to the school’s menu or a la carte program
USDA Guidance from the HealthierUS School Challenge
• USDA Whole Grains Resource
• USDA Guidance on Vegetables, Dry Beans and Peas
• Dietary Guidelines Fact Sheets and Tips for SchoolsNutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way Toward Healthier Youth, Report Brief , April 2007, Institute of Medicine
Healthier Kansas Menus- Menus designed to help schools meet the challenge of serving nutritious meals that appeal to students. These menus meet the criteria for the HealthierUS School Challenge.
Season Your Foods Without Salt
View a list of sample a la carte items which may meet the award criteria and a reference list for healthy a la carte products
View a list of high fiber food items and tips to increase fiber in school meals
View a list of recommended breakfast cereals to help schools make smart purchasing choice
View a list of Tips for Using Legumes in School Meals
Congratulations to Montana’s HealthierUS School Challenge Award-Winning Schools!
Tips from Montana’s Award-Winning SchoolsCurrent Award Winners
Townsend Public Schools (Silver)
Cecelia Hazelton School
Townsend 7-8
Luther Elementary School (Gold of Distinction)
Gallatin Gateway Schools (Gold)
Gallatin Gateway Elementary School
Gallatin Gateway 7-8
Previous Award Winners
Billings Public Schools-School District #2: Ponderosa Elementary School (Gold)
Bozeman Public Schools #7: Hawthorne Elementary School (2 Gold)
Longfellow School (Bronze)
Morning Star Elementary School (Gold)
Whittier Elementary School (Gold)
Lolo Elementary School (Gold)
Luther Elementary School (Silver)
Box Elder Public School (Silver and Gold Award)Need additional information or assistance with the application? Please contact the Montana Team Nutrition Program.
Montana Team Nutrition
202 Romney Gym, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717
Project Coordinator: Molly Stenberg, RD
Telephone: 406.994.7217, Fax: 406.994.7300
Program Director: Katie Bark, RD
Telephone: 406.994.5641, Fax: 406.994.7300
Healthier MT Menu Challenge
Limited time offer: $500 mini grant for schools that receive a Healthier Montana Challenge Award for Breakfast Meals. There is a total of $2,500 (or five mini grants) available for the 2010-11 and 2011-2012 school years. Contact Montana Team Nutrition Program at (406) 994-5641 or email kbark@mt.gov for more information.
Why Apply?
The Montana Team Nutrition Program invites all Montana schools to apply for a Healthier Montana Menu Challenge Award and will assist schools in the application process. Be a Healthy School Champion!What is the Healthier Montana Menu Challenge?
- It is a recognition program which is based on the HealthierUS School Challenge criteria but only focuses on the school nutrition program and doesn't require a minimum student participation level.
- It also allows schools to apply for an award for the breakfast program, lunch program or a la carte program or all three.
- Applying for either program is an opportunity to make your school the healthiest place possible and to achieve recognition for your outstanding school food service program!
Healthier Montana Menu Challenge Informational Brochure
How does it work?- A menu-based recognition program that meets nutrition criteria for breakfast, lunch and a la carte offerings.
- Recognizes schools serving healthy school meals that are consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA’s MyPyramid; thereby allowing more Montana children the opportunity to enjoy whole grain foods, whole fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and low-fat entrees.
- Supports youth in fueling healthy bodies and smart minds.
- Applications are open to all Montana schools, regardless of participation level in the school meals program; and
- Allows schools to apply for all three components (breakfast, lunch, and a la carte) or for any one of the three.
School Breakfast Menu Criteria (Table 1)
School Lunch Menu Criteria (Table 2)
A la Carte Foods Criteria (Table 3)
Menu Worksheets:
Breakfast
Complete a work sheet for each meal component in which you are applying for:
Lunch
A la Carte
The menu criteria are based on the USDA MyPyramid and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as well as these guiding principles1
- The present and future health and well-being of school-age children are profoundly affected by dietary intake and the maintenance of a healthy weight.
- Schools contribute to current and lifelong health and dietary patterns and are uniquely positioned to model and reinforce healthful eating behaviors in partnership with parents, teachers and the broader community.
1Nutrition Standards for Schools: Leading the Way Toward Healthier Youth Report, April 2007, Institute of Medicine
How to Complete and Submit an Application:
The application consists of four sections: 1) a check-off page indicating required items, 2) an informational cover page, 3) the Review Panel Form, and 4) the applicable menu work sheet(s). Please ensure all items listed on the check-off page are included in your application packet. Include the menu and the menu work sheet for each meal component in which you are applying for: breakfast, lunch or a la carte. Verification of schools meeting the School Meals Initiative (SMI) nutrient standards will be based upon the most recent SMI review conducted by the Montana Office of Public Instruction.Healthier Montana Menu Challenge Application
Mail the completed application to:
Montana Team Nutrition Program
PO Box 173360, 202 Romney Gym
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717-3360Upon receipt of the application, Montana Team Nutrition and/or Montana Office of Public Instruction staff will review it. Please allow four-six weeks for review and award notification. Montana Team Nutrition will contact the school for clarification if needed.
Application Requirements
1.Schools apply as individual school sites and must meet the specified menu criteria for breakfast and lunch meals and for a la carte food items (if applicable).2. Schools can apply for all three components (breakfast, lunch, and a la carte) or for any one of the three.
3. Schools must involve the school’s wellness committee or organize a review panel or group including, at minimum, a school administrator, a school nutrition program manager and a member of the parent teacher organization. The review panel will sign off on the application.
4. Once awarded, the Healthier Montana Menu Challenge Recognition is for a two-year time period. The award is for the current school year (the year of approval) plus the following two school years. Schools are encouraged to continue their commitment and reapply at the end of their award period.
Utilize these resources to complete the application and/or make enhancements to the school’s menu or a la carte programUSDA Guidance from the HealthierUS School Challenge
• USDA Whole Grains Resource
• USDA Guidance on Vegetables, Dry Beans and Peas
• Dietary Guidelines Fact Sheets and Tips for SchoolsNutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way Toward Healthier Youth, Report Brief , April 2007, Institute of Medicine
View sample Montana school menus which meet the award criteria
Healthier Kansas Menus- Menus designed to help schools meet the challenge of serving nutritious meals that appeal to students. These menus meet the criteria for the HealthierUS School Challenge.
View a list of sample a la carte items which may meet the award criteria and a reference list for healthy a la carte products
Healthy Snacks Calculator
This handy Web site provides a tool to calculate if specific snack foods meet the criteria for a la carte foods.View a list of high fiber food items and tips to increase fiber in school meals
View a list of recommended breakfast cereals to help schools make smart purchasing choice
View a list of Tips for Using Legumes in School Meals
Congratulations to Montana’s Healthier Montana Menu Challenge Award-Winning Schools!
All schools are encouraged to apply.
The Montana Team Nutrition staff is willing to assist with the application processes. If you are interested in applying for an award, please contact Molly Stenberg at the Montana Team Nutrition Program at telephone406.994-7217 or by e-mail at stenberg@montana.edu, prior to starting the application process.
Somers Elementary District #29, Lakeside Elementary School and Somers Middle School
Lunch Award, June 2010 –June 2012Lunch Menu
Press Release
Article: Missoulian, November 15, 2010
Heck Quaw Elementary School, Belgrade, MT
Breakfast Award, November 2009 – June 2012
Whitehall Public Schools
Breakfast and Lunch Awards, January 2009-June 2011
Luther Elementary School, Luther MT
Lunch Award, March 2009-June 2011
Bozeman Public School District Elementary Schools
Lunch Awards:
Hawthorne School, October 2008-June 2011
Longfellow School, October 2008-June 2011
Whittier School, October 2008-June 2011
Morning Star School, January 2009-June 20112008 Bozeman School District Elementary Lunch Menu
2009 Bozeman School District Elementary Lunch MenuMuldown Elementary School, Whitefish MT
Lunch Award, April 2009-June 2011Previous Winners:
Lone Rock Elementary School
Breakfast and Lunch Awards March 2008-June 2010
Lone Rock Menus
Press Release
Need additional information or assistance with the application? Please contact the Montana Team Nutrition Program.
Montana Team Nutrition
202 Romney Gym, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717
Project Coordinator Molly Stenberg, RD
Telephone:406.994.7217, Fax:406.994.7300
E-mail: stenberg@montana.edu
Program Director: Katie Bark, RD
Telephone:406.994.5641, Fax:406.994.7300
E-mail: kbark@mt.govMontana’s GOLD HealthierUS School Challenge Model School
Lolo Elementary School, Lolo, Montana
Linda Free, School Food Service Director
Telephone:406.273.7168
E-mail: lindaf@lolo.k12.mt.usMontana SILVER HealthierUS School Challenge Model School
Box Elder School, Box Elder, Montana
Kimberly Patacsil, School Food Service Director
Telephone:406.352.4195 ext. 23Montana Team Nutrition would like to acknowledge and give thanks to the Healthier Montana Menu Challenge advisory committee members for their assistance in developing the content of this resource.
- Montana Office of Public Instruction School Nutrition Programs Staff
- Montana’s School Food Service Peer Educators
- Gina O’Brian, RD, Regional Nutritionist, USDA, FNS, Special Nutrition Programs
- Dayle Hayes, MS, RD, Nutrition for the Future, Inc.
Recipes for Healthy Kids Challenge First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign, in association with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is challenging school nutrition professionals, chefs, students, parents and interested community members to create tasty, healthy, exciting new recipes for inclusion on school lunch menus across the country.
Winning teams will win $12,000 in prizes and be invited to prepare their nutrition-packed meals alongside White House chefs. Get your school district involved now by going to http://RecipesForKidsChallenge.com.
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Entrees
Last Modified: Thursday, 08-Mar-2012 13:11:23 MST
"The Montana Office of Public Instruction provides vision, advocacy, support and leadership for schools and communities to ensure that all students meet today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities."
The Montana Office of Public Instruction, Denise Juneau, Superintendent • P.O. Box 202501 Helena, Montana 59620-2501 • In-State Toll-Free 1.888.231.9393, Local (406) 444.3095
The Office of Public Instruction is committed to equal opportunity and non-discriminatory access to all our programs and services. For information or to file a complaint, contact OPI Title IX/EEO Coordinator at (406) 444.3161 or tantonick@mt.gov
The OPI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The OPI promotes equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The OPI has developed a written Affirmative Action Program which sets forth the policies, practices and procedures that the OPI is committed to in order to ensure that its policy of nondiscrimination and affirmative action for qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified protected veterans is accomplished. This Affirmative Action Program is available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment upon request, during normal business hours, in the Human Resources Office. Interested persons should contact the Human Resources Manager at 406-444-3161 for assistance.
