FP16 South Dakota Team Nutrition: Increasing Access to Healthier Food Options

Abstract

Objective SD Department of Education (DOE) in partnership with South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension engages nutrition and wellness stakeholders to build statewide support in creating healthy environments and increasing student access to healthier food options through integrating South Dakota Team Nutrition programs within schools and communities, especially those with a high percentage of American Indian youth. Description Schools and communities were actively involved in implementation of Fuel Up to Play 60 activities to increase school breakfast participation, Power Chef Challenge lessons to enhance student's food preparation and culinary skills, Farm to School initiatives to increase local food procurement, and Smarter Lunchroom Movement strategies to help nudge students to voluntarily select the healthiest food options. Sub-grant funding was awarded to increase school district access to financial resources needed to implement these activities. Evaluation Process evaluation measures, outcome measures of students’ nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviors and food environment and wellness policy measures were used to demonstrate impact across all activities. During 2016-2019 implementation, Fuel Up to Play 60 was the program of choice in 17 schools. Among those schools, five increased school breakfast participation, and 11 increased school lunch participation. Power Chef Challenge activities reached over 2,000 students and significant increases in nutrition knowledge were seen among participants. Gardening efforts are currently underway in six schools. Two schools participated in the Smarter Lunchroom Movement, and both demonstrated an increase in the Smarter Lunchrooms Self-Assessment Score Card score after participating in grant-funded activities. Conclusions and Implications Through Team Nutrition Training Grant funds, SD Team Nutrition has been able to provide schools across the state the opportunity to engage in a variety of nutrition education programs that positively impact student health and wellness. Grant Year 2016