Quitman Independent School District received a Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award for improving the nutritional quality of school meals. Awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture  Food and Nutrition Service  in collaboration with Action for Healthy Kids, QISD received the Breakfast Trailblazer Award for work in improving the nutritional quality of school breakfast menus by meeting specific criteria including limiting added sugars and implementing student engagement and/or nutrition education.

Shannon Almand, Quitman ISD director of food nutrition, said, “In the past 12 months, we have eliminated breakfast cereals that have higher amounts of added sugars. We have removed grain-based dessert items such as donuts, cinnamon rolls, pastries and sweet crackers from our breakfast menus and have transitioned all breakfast yogurts containing less than 12 grams of added sugars per six ounces.”

“This award means that we have improved the nutritional quality of school breakfast for all of our students. This award recognizes the innovative practices we have implemented to help decrease the overall added sugar in school breakfast. Added sugars contribute to zero nutritional benefits but often many added calories that can lead to overweight or obesity. For our students, choosing a low-sugar breakfast option with plenty of protein and fiber can help our students stay full until lunchtime and have better attention and focus in the classroom.”

“We are working on additional recognition awards related to nutritional education for our students and community. The focus of this education will include a discussion of the sodium, added sugars, and/or whole grain content of school meals. The Child Nutrition Department is coordinating with each campus during parent and student engagement nights to share a nutritional education presentation during the school year. I believe knowledge is power; nutrition education will empower our students with knowledge and skills to make healthy food and beverage choices,” Almand said.