HSP Success Stories

 Throughout the spring RD nutrition coaches and PE teachers participating in the Healthy Schools Partnership (HSP) in both Kansas City and Des Moines have been documenting the impressive success stories they have observed from students participating in the HSP program.  Students are excited and energized by the lessons they have learned throughout the semester. Here are some of their success stories:

• After learning about “power beverages” students began telling their classroom teachers that they needed to change the juice offering during snack time because it was too high in added sugar.

• During one-on-one RD nutrition coaching one student admitted she was beginning to make healthier food choices and participating in more physical activity outside of school she even reported that she had lost some weight. 

• When setting nutrition goals one student declared that he was going to drink less soda.  When asked how much soda he usually drinks, the student answered, six or more regular cans of soda per day, a testament to the need for this program. One student shared that she decided to eat apples and strawberries as an after school snack instead of eating a bag of chips and this change helped her to increase her energy during soccer games.

• Many students have shared that they are now spending more time playing outside after school than ever before.

Many schools participating in the Healthy Schools Partnership are also celebrating success stories in the cafeteria.  Parkview Middle School, in Des Moines, began tracking the changes in its cafeteria food consumption after the Healthy Schools Partnership program began earlier this spring. The numbers speak for themselves – fresh fruit and veggie consumption is up across the board.  With the knowledge the students are gaining from the Healthy Schools Partnership they are making healthier choices in the cafeteria.

Fresh vegetables were added to the a la carte offerings based on student requests.  With their own money, students chose to purchase a la carte fruit and vegetable item even when other a la carte options were available.  A la carte sales comparing March 1 – March 31 and April 1st to April 30:

 From the hot lunch offer vs. serve line comparing one random day in March & one random day in April: