Texas Department of Agriculture: Combating Childhood Obesity
Background:
The Texas Department of Agriculture and Commissioner Sid Miller supports schools’ efforts to facilitate a successful environment by fostering healthy choices through grant programs, outreach, as well as the !’s of "ealthy #iving$!ducation, !xercise and !ating %ight&
5-Point Plan:1Farm Fresh Choices
aTDA will utili'e a (arm (resh (riday campaign to increase awareness and participation farm to school activities& (arm to school programs improve school nutrition by connecting Texas schools with local producers&
2Community Support
a"ealthy Community )etwor* +"C)i"C) is a networ* of local leaders in Texas who are committed to sharing *nowledge in the interest of promoting health and wellness& Their commitment ismobili'ing Texans to achieve a healthier future& Through this networ*, TDA wor*s to inspire Texans to choose healthy lifestyles, serve as role models for young people and partner with others for stronger communities& bCommunity !ngagementiTDA will support local communities in the implementation of #ocal -ellness .olicies, (arm to School /nitiatives, and support of the Summer (ood Service .rogram through a networ* of AmeriCorps 0ista 0olunteers& TDA will hire a Community !ngagement Specialist in the coming months to spearhead this effort&cCoordination with Community 1rgani'ationsiTDA staff is meeting with food ban*s, private nonprofits, state agencies, and school associations to discuss support of local decisions, education, and implementation related to #ocal -ellness .olicies&
3Student Inolement
aTDA will loo* to engaging students, at the local level, to champion the benefits of a healthy lifestyle& TDA will hire a Student !ngagement Specialist in the coming months tospearhead this effort&
!"ppealing #eals
aTDA will provide resources and training support to schools to ensure Texas schools have the tools they need to appeal to students’ healthier instincts with meals that are attractive and taste great&
5"$areness o% Food & 'utrition Programs
a
TDA will wor* to ensure all eligible Texans are aware of (ood 2 )utrition programs and the resources those programs provide&
i
Starting in 3une, TDA launched a campaign to ensure Texans were aware of meals available for children during the summer months through the Summer (ood Service .rogram& The campaign includes digital media, radio and T0 .SAs, billboards, and bus ads&
|