The Road to a Successful HUSSC Award Lisa Miller Food Service Director North Pocono

THIS IS NOT AN “OPEN THE DOOR, COME ON IN” PROCESS Take your time to prepare and practice before letting the guests in.

START LOW AND SLOW Apply for bronze or silver level – you can always build on your program later. Start with lower grades. It is easier getting all on board. Before applying – start slow by adding different items once or twice a week.

START LOW AND SLOW Advertise your new healthy choices on your menu, website, parent groups, but do not mention the challenge just yet. Offer new items by doing taste testings.

The Beginning SIGN UP AS A TEAM NUTRITION SCHOOL – – Fill out a form for each of your schools and fax to – No Cost To You – Valuable information and interesting tidbits. – Needed for the application process.

IMPORTANT STEP 2 Download and print out the HUSSC Application Packet. – – Include the Criteria & Checklist. – The whole grains resource – Guidance on qualifying green & orange vegetables. – Dry beans, peas, legumes.

Getting Started Read your printed material completely. Make a check list of all of the information and menu items needed. Begin talking to your vendors on supplying you with the products you will need. Prepare a sample menu incorporating some new products. Start at the elementary level first.

MENU Start slow by adding or incorporating new items into your menu. – Grilled Cheese on Whole Wheat instead of white Bread. – Brown Rice instead of White Rice – Oriental Meal with Stir-Fry Vegetables – Sweet & Sour Chicken with brown rice and Oriental Vegetables are a big hit. – How about Baked Beans

GO BOLD A pasta bake made with whole wheat pasta. When pasta is mixed with sauce – the little ones can’t tell the difference. Use whole wheat hoagie & sandwich rolls Broccoli with LF Dip How about oatmeal cookies? Try a fruit crisp-USDA Recipe

SIMPLY VEGETABLE Cups of Fresh baby carrots. Cups of Fresh Broccoli Mix Romaine, Spinach, or endive in with your iceberg lettuces. Do a 50/50 mix.

FANCY FRUIT Cut up your apples – sprinkle with cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Wedge your oranges Fresh or Frozen Fruit with a dollop of LF Vanilla yogurt. Ripe bananas – ¼ cup topped with vanilla pudding.

I DID THIS - NOW WHAT? You need to get your students on board first. It may take a couple of months to introduce all of your new ideas.

I DID THIS - NOW WHAT? Once you feel comfortable with your “test” present your findings and what you would like to do to your wellness committee and administration. With your committee and administration buy- in the rest of the application process is easy.

DON’T GET STRESSED BABY STEPS HAVE FUN BE CREATIVE GOOD LUCK TO ALL