Wisconsin 2001 Team Nutrition Project

The goal of the 2001 Team Nutrition Project was to help schools improve their school nutrition environments. The main resource is USDA Team Nutrition’s Changing the Scene Kit — To Improve the Health School Nutrition Environment. This project focused on six areas:

• A commitment to nutrition and physical activity
• Quality school meals
• Other healthy food options
• Pleasant eating experiences
• Nutrition education
• Marketing

Why is working toward a healthy school nutrition environment important?

Good nutrition is important to students in terms of their health, performance and academic achievement. Schools have the skills and motivation to promote good nutrition and yet there are so many influences that counter those efforts — financial concerns, commercial ads and promotions in schools, society’s hectic pace, and the availability and desire for fast food choices, etc. Schools need assistance to make a difference.

Design of Project

Thirty (30) Wisconsin schools/districts were selected for this project. Between February 2002 and May 2003, they worked to significantly improve their school nutrition environments.  Project descriptions and progress made are included for each of the Team Nutrition Project Schools on this website.

Supports provided the schools through this project include:

• General training on nutrition and developing school nutrition policies.
• A detailed assessment tool with which to develop an individualized action plan.
• Training, technical assistance (TA) and resources specific to each school/district as needed to improve their school nutrition environment.
• A small stipend for expenses.

What’s Right for Kids — Improving the School Nutrition Environment

The major outcome of the 2001 Team Nutrition Project is the publication:  What’s  Right for Kids — Improving the School Nutrition Environment. The purpose is to highlight the issues surrounding children’s nutrition and fitness, allow other schools to benefit from the experiences of the 30 Team Nutrition Project schools/districts and to provide Wisconsin schools with valuable resources to help them in their efforts.

This effort to help schools improve their school nutrition environments coincides with State Superintendent Burmaster’s New Wisconsin Promise. In a November 2003 memo, she outlines a course of action that she encourages all schools to adopt to help them in their efforts.

Besides the publication, a What's Right for Kids poster is also available.

The publication, poster, and memo from State Superintendent Burmaster are downloadable.

For questions about this information, contact Jill A. Camber Davidson (608) 264-6700

Last updated on 2/25/2008 9:08:27 AM