THE HCS CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM

Greetings!

National School Lunch Week 2023 was a great success. The event was made possible by the efforts of all of our HCS Child Nutrition Program employees, faculty, adminstrators, and support staff. As fall begins to approach, please take steps to prepare for the cool days that are ahead. Also, if your children are going to be trick or treating next week, please practice safety guidelines for accepting candy and keeping young people safe during the night of Halloween. Thank you for continuing to support the Child Nutrition Program.

- H.Ward

"Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve done before."

- Bonnie Blair Speed Skater

Positions available:

• CNP Worker

• CNP Supervisor

To apply for a position with Huntsville City Schools, you must complete an online application with the Alabama State Department of Education. Just Click the Link below to start the process

Standard Application Login (searchsoft.net)

Diet Prescrition Form

For a student with a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or a non-life threatening food allergy, a diet prescription signed by a licensed physician, nurse, registered dietitian, or physician assistant is required. A student with a disability or life threatening food allergy must have a diet prescription signed by a licensed physician.The school food service is encouraged, but not required, to provide food substitutions or modifications for children without disabilities with medically certified special dietary needs who are unable to eat regular meals as prepared. Substitutions for children without disabilities, with medically

certified special dietary needs must be based on a statement by a

recognized medical authority.

Poor quality snacking can put your health at risk

Choosing low-quality snacks with little nutrition can have a negative impact on people's health, even if their regular meals tend to be of good quality. Dietitian nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner notes in an interview that people eat an average of two snacks per day, which should be viewed as two extra opportunities to improve their nutrition with foods of high value.

Full Story: WGN-AM (Chicago) (9/28)

Survey highlights importance of school meal programs

A global survey conducted by the Global Child Nutrition Foundation reveals the complex nature of school meal programs, which play a significant role in economic development. While many countries are addressing hunger and nutrition among school-aged children, the US National School Lunch Program is admired for its pillars of linking agriculture, education and nutrition.

Full Story: Civil Eats (10/3)

RD offers recipes for protein-rich, fall-focused main dishes

Registered dietitian Jessica Ball offers ideas for main course dishes that contain at least 15 grams of protein to make a satisfying meal. The 17 easy recipes incorporate fall seasonal produce and ingredients and include Noodle-less Butternut Squash Lasagna, Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili, and Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts.

Full Story: EatingWell (9/30)

By Natalie Monson

Published on October 9, 2018

Halloween is such a fun holiday and definitely one of our favorites. Our kids love to dress up, go to parties, and definitely trick-or-treat! It seems like it is the beginning of the holiday season and sometimes that means that nutrition goes out the window. After a fun night of trick-or-treating, my kids come home with HUGE bags of candy! But more than just the sugar overload, there are a few different reasons to handout something a little healthier to the trick-or treaters that come to your house:

Food Allergies. There are more and more kids that have food allergies. If you haven’t heard about the Teal Pumpkin Project, it is a really great thing for kids with food allergies. The purpose is to raise awareness of food allergies and helps to include all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season. If you will be providing non-food treats to trick-or-treaters, then you put a teal colored pumpkin on your porch to let parents and kids with food allergies know they can come to your home to get a safe treat.

Dye Sensitivities. A lot of different candy contains food dyes which many parents are concerned about. Food dyes can have an effect on some children with hyperactivity, mood swings, and inability to concentrate.

Dental Health. Dentists agree that the worst type of sweets for kids’ teeth are the sticky or gummy type. The sticky material coats teeth, and cavity causing bacteria have an opportunity to grow and spread. Dentists recommend to limit sugar intake, consume healthy foods that strengthen teeth, and brush regularly.

Reference

50 Healthy Trick Or Treat Ideas - Super Healthy Kids

The Child Nutrition Program Staff at Montview Elementary achived a 100 Health Inspection rating from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on October 11, 2023.

Mrs. Gwen Graham has been employed with Huntsville City Schools for over 8 years in the Child Nutrition Program. She is originally from Huntsville, Alabama and she has been married for 22 years. Gwen describes herself as an outgoing person. She has only resided in Huntsville and before working in Child Nutrition, she was employed as a welder.

Gwen tells us that seeing the children is what she likes most about working in Child Nutrition. When she is not working at Huntsville City Schools, Gwen loves to shop. Gwen expresses that she is self-motivated to complete her assigned job duties and tasks each workday. She also states that the highlight of her career occurs when she learns something new.

Gwen says that her favorite music to listen to is Blues and her favorite food to eat is crab legs. She explains that she is a really good listener. Gwen shares that she remains working in Child Nutrition because she does not like to give up on the students. Gwen mentions that if she were not working in Child Nutrition, then she would be a volunteer at a nursing home.

Gwen’s main hobby is riding her mountain bike. She feels that Child Nutrition is important because students must be fed a nutritious meal each day. Gwen’s favorite sport is College football where she cheers for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Gwen says that participating in Child Nutrition means to be very inclusive.

Gwen hopes to one day have an opportunity to drive a tractor trailer on the highway. In the next five years, Gwen plans to simply just rest. Gwen defines success as being happy within ones self.

Location: Martin Luther King Junior Elementary School, Meridian Street North, Huntsville, AL, USA

De Lautrec Singh

Amanda Cagle

Janet Bloomingburg

Lisa Battle

Jennifer Terry

"From my observations, Ms. Clark exhibits many characteristics often associated with success:

• hard working
• kind
• respectful
• possessing high expectations for others
• enjoys helping others."

- Dr. Bradley Scott, Principal Blossomwood

"Roshun and her staff have done a great job executing over school 24,354 meals at Providence Elementary during the past month. She is very dependable and motivates her employees each school day. She is very punctual and an extremely hard worker. She is a very good leader and has great relationships with the students and faculty at Providence Elementary."

-Henry Ward, CNP Director

Joyce Collier 10/3

Jennifer Jones 10/5

Christopher Bone 10/10

Allison Clemons 10/12

Renae Beasley 10/15

Theresa Wilkerson 10/16

Mirtha Petty 10/18

Beverly Boldosser 10/20

Yvonne McKinney 10/20

Yaidelisse Torres 10/26

Chrissy Depew 25 years

Sonya Mastin 25 years

Christopher Bone 23 years

Theresa Wilkerson 17 years

Belinda Anderson 16 years

Yvonne McKinney 16 years

Kitty Holt 8 years

Norma Martin 8 years

Maria Boyzo 6 years

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Website: https://www.huntsvillecityschools.org/departments/child-nutrition-program
Location: 200 White Street Southeast, Huntsville, AL, USA
Phone: 256 428-6955
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillecitycnp
Twitter: @HUNTSVILLECITY1