New York Coalition For Healthy School Lunches

Contact:  
Amie Hamlin
(631) 286-1343 or
amie@healthylunches.org

Lydia Antoncic
(914) 837-4747

South Country Central School District to be Honored for Healthy Meal Options

Group Responsible for Introducing Healthy School Lunch Resolution to Present Award

Bellport , New York – The South Country Central School District is setting a good example for others to follow when it comes to improving foods offered in schools. The New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches is honoring the district for implementing changes that will help to improve children’s health at a news conference. Speakers will include: Camille Birmelin, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Brian McCarthy, Principal of Kreamer Street Elementary School, Debbie Gurney, first grade teacher and two of her students, Mark Grossman, school district board member, Dr. Desire, a local pediatrician, Christine Kunnmann, Operations Coordinator for Whitsons Food Service, a diabetes educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Amie Hamlin, Director of the New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches.

Date & Time: May 24 at 10:45 AM
Location: Kreamer Street Elementary School Cafeteria in Bellport

(Directions: from Sunrise Highway, south at exit 56 Station Road /Bellport, go to 3 rd light. Turn right on Kreamer Street . Kreamer Street School is the second school on the right.

The New York State Legislature unanimously passed a resolution on March 24, 2004 and April 26, 2004 , introduced by Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R-C-I), Port Jefferson, and Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-51 st District). It encourages local school districts to provide daily vegetarian meal options to their students, replacement of ala carte and vending items with healthier choices, nutrition education that reinforces these healthier options, and farm-to-school programs, including organic where possible, to promote the consumption of local fresh produce, in response to the crisis of childhood obesity and diet related health problems. The resolution is in response to the obesity and diet related health problems in children, and intended to benefit all children, not just vegetarians. We applaud all efforts to improve the nutritional value of school lunches,” said George Rosales, Advocacy Director for the American Heart Association.

The South Country Central School District offers veggie burgers, pasta primavera, soy tacos (called Mexican Tacos), black beans and rice, salad wraps, and a main dish salad, all healthier vegetarian options. In addition they are adding healthier choices to their ala carte offerings.

Studies have shown that eating a diet of whole, unprocessed foods reduces disciplinary problems and increases attention and concentration abilities, important aspects for learning. “The commitment of the South Country Central School District to a healthy mind and body emboldens our students to achieve,” noted Brian McCarthy, Principal of Kreamer Street Elementary School.

Camille Birmelin, Assistant Superintendent for Business for the school district stated that “The South Country Central School District is committed to educating our students to be lifelong learners and to grow and be productive in society. As such we want to provide healthy eating options as part of the school lunch program.”

“The USDA Dietary Guidelines state ‘get most of your calories from plant foods,’ and vegetarian meals exemplify these recommendations, by getting more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes into our children’s diets,” said Amie Hamlin, local parent and Director of the New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches. “We are thrilled to give the South Country Central School District this award, their efforts will effect the health of our children for years to come.”

For more information and to view the resolution please visit www.healthylunches.org