The Voorhees School District will be proudly represented at the White House to received accolades for serving healthy foods.
In February 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama introduced Let’s Move!, incorporating the Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) into her campaign to raise a healthier generation of kids. At that time, monetary incentive awards became available for each HUSSC award level: bronze, silver, gold, and gold award of distinction.
Voorhees Public Schools Director of Food Services Debbie Zee said she chose Osage Elementary School to be part of the program as a kind of test run.
By having 50 percent participation of students in the school lunch program, Osage has been given a bronze award.
“It just seemed appropriate,” Zee said of choosing Osage. “It’s a nice school.”
She also said Osage has the highest number of needy children in the district.
Since it has 65 percent participation, Osage could have achieved silver status.
The participation percentage is determined by how many children are part of the lunch plan whether free, paid, or reduced.
Zee said she looked at the schools’ menus and saw that the district was in compliance with the national healthy initiative.
To be considered, schools have to submit menus, recipes, and production records. Production records include what was served at a meal, how many students ate, and what was left over.
She said district elementary schools’ menus are all about the same.
“But I really didn’t know how it was going to be or what to expect,” Zee said, explaining that’s why she went with one school.
She also said she will enter all district schools for the bronze award.
“I think it’s great for the district,” Zee said. “We’ve been moving in that way for about 20 years.
“Every year we do some kind of modification so we really feel like we’re getting very close to where we need to be at all levels,” she added.
Zee said wheat bread is served free in the district and desserts like fresh blueberries with nonfat topping are offered.
Zee worked for Campbell Soup restaurant division, worked in restaurants, and studied to be a dietician. She has been Voorhees food director for 23 years.
Zee said menus have returned to being simple: there are fewer preservatives, more fruits and vegetables, more raw and less processed foods, more reduced fat and reduced sodium foods, and whole grains and leaner proteins.
“People want to go back to the basics,” she said. “I have seen a lot of changes.”
Zee will get a chance to meet the first lady on Oct. 17 at the White House. She is one of only three schools in New Jersey to be recognized.
The Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity.
Schools may submit applications for the Healthier US School Challenge by US mail or online. A simplified district application process is available if there are two or more schools applying from one school district.
Since the beginning of the Healthier US School Challenge in 2004, awards have been given to schools in 44 states. As of Sept. 28, there are 1,631 schools certified.
