[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 106 (Monday, July 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS' NUTRITION PROGRAM

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Fairfax County Public Schools on its nutrition program, which recently 
was named best in the country by the School Nutrition Association.
  FCPS's Food and Nutrition Services Department is the largest child 
nutrition program in Virginia, serving approximately 140,000 customers 
each day at 238 schools and centers, 8 day cares and private schools, 
15 senior citizen programs, 18 Meals-on-Wheels sites, 133 School-Age 
Child Care (SACC) programs, and 52 Family and Early Childhood Education 
Programs (Head Start).
  The School Nutrition Association recognized FCPS's ability to handle 
this demanding task, noting its commitment to excellence in creating 
nutritious and appealing meals, implementing innovative nutrition 
education initiatives, developing a strong professional development 
program, and exercising superior financial management.
  Under Fairfax's nutrition program, students participate in surveys to 
assist in the planning of meals and attend various tasting parties to 
help establish customer preferences. The popular ``Give Me 5! Colors 
That Jive'' program introduces students to new and unfamiliar fruits 
and vegetables each month, such as jicama, butternut squash and sweet 
potato wedges. The district also provides easily accessible nutrition 
statistics with every prepared meal.
  Partnering with teachers, the Food and Nutrition Services staff hosts 
hundreds of nutrition education sessions each year in our local 
schools. They also reach into the community, hosting monthly nutrition 
classes for parents and seniors. Further, the district offers cooking 
classes for students and their families to emphasize the point that 
healthy eating starts at home.
  In addition to the award, the School Nutrition Association presented 
FCPS with $25,000 to expand its innovative nutrition programs.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Fairfax County Public Schools on this tremendous honor. As my 
colleagues know, providing our young people with nutritious meals and 
educating them about healthy eating habits provides them with the 
proper fuel for academic and lifelong success.

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