Celebrations always seem bigger in Texas. And the one on February 25, at Brawner Intermediate School in Granbury, Texas, was no exception. The event recognized the school’s invaluable partnership with dairy farmers, the Fuel Up to Play 60 program and USDA, who teamed to make an unprecedented pledge to improve health and fitness of kids across the country. The school’s efforts are an integral component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative and just one example of the public-private partnerships that are critical to solving the challenges we face.
Sean Lee, a linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys, joined the festivities to encourage children to eat healthy, study and exercise at least 60 minutes every day. He spoke about his challenges growing up and how eating healthy and staying active allowed him to make it in the NFL. Students, teachers and the assistant commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, Angela Olige, also joined the fun by participating in a challenging obstacle course.
The students were anxious to demonstrate how they are promoting nutrition and physical activity throughout their curriculum – from art class to social studies, to the cafeteria menu healthy living is prominent part of their school day.. The energy in the room was infectious, as everyone joined the pep rally, singing and dancing alongside the cheerleaders.
As a mother, educating children at a young age to eat healthy and exercise is important to me on a personal level. At home, I strive to be a good role model and teach my daughters the value of nutritious meals and exercise in our lives.
Over 67 percent of the children at the school we visited school receive free and reduced-price lunches. For many of these kids, school meals are the cornerstone of their nutrition. As I sat and ate with the children, it gave me a sense of pride that I work for an agency that provides healthy lunches to low-income children. And that is something big to celebrate!
Please follow USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service on Twitter.