West Central Hosts Rec Nights and Foods Club

By Leah Chapman, FoodCorps

To implement new wellness initiatives, West Central Community School received $4,000 from the Fuel Up To Play 60 (FUTP 60) program. Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages the availability and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, along with at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

The program was launched by National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture. The program, in more than 60,000 schools throughout the country, provides youth with concrete opportunities to improve healthy eating and physical activity.

West Central Community School will start an afterschool "Local Foods Club" in which K-6th grade students will sample and learn how to prepare fruits, vegetables, homemade whole grain breads, smoothies and other nutritious foods. The club will focus specifically on local foods and will bring farmers from Fayette County to the club to connect students to local food and agriculture.

Food Service Director, Wilma Miller, from West Central also received funds to purchase new kitchen equipment including cutting boards, a lettuce cutter and an apple slicer. This new equipment will help West Central process and serve more whole fruits and vegetables throughout the school year. 

Each month, West Central will use FUTP 60 funds to hold "recreation nights" in which students and family members will enjoy healthy snacks and opportunities for physical activity. The school will purchase two Wii exercise bundles and will hold dodge ball tournaments and limbo competitions. The first recreation night was held on January 16th, 2012. Students and staff are already busy planning February's recreation night.

Tag: schoolwellness