“Big Changes” in Humble ISD to reduce childhood obesity & improve diets of children

This year Humble ISD has a New Child Nutrition Director, Shirley Parker. Shirley joined the district as a dietitian in 2005. She has been serving as the Assistant Director of Child Nutrition since 2009. Shirley has a BS degree in Physical Education from Texas A&M, a BS degree from the University of Texas in Nutrition and Dietetics, and a MA degree from Sam Houston State in Health Education, as the Director of Child Nutrition one of her tasked this year is the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

A new round of federal school food restrictions are forcing districts across the country to do away with popular and profitable school snacks in exchange for “healthier” options.

The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 – took effect July 1.

According to Humble ISD’s website “The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 put USDA school meals on a path to ending childhood hunger, to reducing childhood obesity and to improving diets of children.”

New in 2014-15, at breakfast students will be required to select at least ½ cup fruit or juice for a complete USDA meal. At lunch the requirement to select at least ½ cup fruit or vegetable continues.

USDA Smart Snack Rules impact a la carte choices

Snack bar/a la carte entrees will be limited to items with less than 350 calories, less than 480 mg sodium and less than 35% total calories from fat. This rule eliminates Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and Freschetta personal pizza. To fill the need for customer favorites, Humble ISD will offer its own version of “Chicken Supreme” sandwiches and a new well known pizza brand which meets USDA Smart Snack rules.

Snack items (chips, frozen desserts, cookies, etc.) will be limited to less than 200 calories, less than 230 mg sodium and less than 35% sugar by weight.

Beverages at middle schools and elementary schools are limited to water, milk and 100% juices. No Gatorade, PowerAde or other sport drinks may be served at these grades.

Sports drinks at high schools will be limited to low calorie varieties.

USDA Video

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Visit www.humbleisd.net/childnutrition for more information