Newtown Schools And Chartwells School

Dining Services Earns Health Award

Newtown Public Schools, whose foodservice is managed by Chartwells School Dining Services, were recently recognized with the Blueberry Council’s 2012 Little Blue Dynamo Health Halo Award for creative ways in promoting and educating students about nutrition.

With the 2012 Little Blue Dynamos Health Halo Award, the US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) asks schools to demonstrate how they incorporate fruits and vegetables into their menus and help children learn about how diet and exercise can support better health.

The Newtown Public Schools were among the many impressive entrants in the 2012 contest.

Chartwells Director Dan Shields, resident dietitian Jill Patterson, RD, and Chartwells/Morrison Management Specialists dietetic intern Cora Ragaini, and other Chartwells associates, manage a wide range of programs and activities for kids and their families in Newtown.

“Taste Testing Fairs” for middle school kids use “peer power,” with older kids encouraging younger ones to taste healthy foods, such as dairy smoothies, fruit salads, snap peas, and brown rice. Students are also put in charge of leading break-dance physical activities during the fairs.

At the recent Newtown High School annual Spring Health Fair held on May 17, Ms Patterson and Ms Ragaini set up different Chartwells demonstration tables.

“It takes creativity and expertise from experts like Chartwells to develop a program that makes healthy food attractive and appealing to our demanding young customers,” said Mr Shields. “There’s more to nutrition than simply presenting fresh, healthy food to kids in their school cafeterias.”

 To learn more about the Blueberry Council visit www.blueberrycouncil.org. For more information about Chartwells School Dining Services, visit www.eatlearnlive.com.