Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org Our five county region is on the ground floor of a movement to improve the policies, practices, and systems that determine how food arrives on our tables and how NE Iowa communities can grow opportunities for physical activity for all. en-us UERPC Planning Team to Facilitate 30 Community Engagement Meetings http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/255.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/255.html Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:06:28 CST Upper Explorerland's planning staff will be out at one of 14 communities across the region nearly every evening (and even a couple of Saturdays!) for the months of January and February. Staff will be conducting the community meetings as part of the public engagement efforts for the four comprehensive "Smart" plans currently underway in our region. USDA Unveils Historic Improvements to Meals Served in America's Schools http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/254.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/254.html Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:34:57 CST First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today unveiled new standards for school meals that will result in healthier meals for kids across the nation. The new meal requirements will raise standards for the first time in more than fifteen years and improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day. Wings Park and other local schools receive ˜Fuel Up to Play 60 grants http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/253.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/253.html Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:24:51 CST Wings Park Elementary in Oelwein recently received word that their Fuel Up to Play 60 program has received a $4,000 grant from the national organization. Fuel Up promotes youth fitness through exercise and good eating habits and encourages the availability and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, along with at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity. FFI Youth 4-H Teams Invited to Attend State Conference http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/252.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/252.html Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:24:50 CST The NE IA Food and Fitness Initiative is coordinating a bus for interested FFI Youth Teams to attend the "Students Taking Charge" Workshop in Ankeny on March 2. Students Taking Charge is a national movement of youth to mobilize, organize, and speak out for healthy and active schools in every state. The one-day workshop will empower youth to make their school a place where it's easy to be healthy. Whole Wellness, Whole Curriculum" course to be offered http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/251.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/251.html Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:21:24 CST Luther College in conjunction with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative is offering a 1 credit course on infusing your curriculum with Wellness. "Whole Wellness, Whole Curriculum" starts February 15th and also meets February 22nd and 28th. It will help teachers incorporate wellness ideas and topics into any curriculum. Central Students Learn About Yoga: Not as easy at it looks http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/250.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/250.html Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:59:27 CST The middle school and high school students in Trevor Arnold's PE class spent two days in November learning some yoga basics with guest yoga instructor, Sonja Areneson-Ecklund. Excited for Zucchini in Oelwein http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/249.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/249.html Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:36:14 CST I had a blast this month in Oelwein elementary schools doing taste test samplings of zucchini and dried plums (also known prunes) as part of the BASICS Nutrition Program lessons. Starmont Foods Classes Jazz Up Desserts with Vegetables http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/248.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/248.html Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:27:46 CST Starmont FCS Teacher, Jan Murray approached FFI AmeriCorps Resource Contact Elizabeth Makarewicz, about teaching a dessert lesson for her Foods I class. With a touch of creativity and advice from Mrs. Murray, Makarewicz chose two recipes that would utilize veggies— beet chocolate cake and squash quick bread. See how they went over. Decorah Teens Lead Afterschool Health Club http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/247.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/247.html Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:16:06 CST What started as a distant dream of an active school district has now blossomed into a lively afterschool program. Four Decorah High School seniors, Abby Meirick, Liz Hovden, Bre Pierce, and Rachel Haindfield, created the idea of a weekly wellness driven program for students kindergarten through fourth grade. This program was made possible with the money earned from the "That was Easy Fun Run" the students held on November 5. N. Fayette Students Sample Squash Fries http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/246.html http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/news/246.html Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:09:50 CST FoodCorps Leah Chapman recently conducted a cafeteria taste-test at West Union Elementary. Chapman worked with Food Service Director, Carol Stanbrough to find a creative use of excess butternut squash. Chapman made "squash fries" for students to sample.