The Steps Program
An Effective Practice
This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.
Description
The Steps Program is combating overweight and obesity in children through school nutrition programs. Steps implements a salad program in school cafeterias to offer students with nutritious prepackaged fruit and vegetable salads. The program educates school administrators about the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, and trains food service staff to prepare salads. Steps also sets up a farmer's market display each school year to allow students to try different kinds of produce. The program also produces Teen Cuisine, an educational program that partners older students with local chefs to create cooking shows featuring healthy recipes for younger children.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the Steps Program is to encourage healthy eating among elementary school students.
Results / Accomplishments
The salad program has been implemented in 84% of elementary schools, and 90% of students and staff members participate in the farmer's markets. In 2008, more than 3,750 students and staff members increased their intake of fruits and vegetables. Between 2005 and 2008 the percentage of overweight elementary school students significantly decreased from 27% to 19%. The Pinellas County School District was ranked first in the nation by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine's School Lunch Report Card in 2007.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Pinellas County Health Department
Primary Contact
No current contact information available
Topics
Health / Children's Health
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Physical Activity
Organization(s)
Pinellas County Health Department
Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Date of publication
2009
Date of implementation
2005
Location
Pinellas, FL
For more details
Target Audience
Children