Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that 37 more Florida schools earned HealthierUS School Challenge designations during June. Under Commissioner Putnam’s leadership, the number of certified HUSSC schools has increased from 27 schools in 2012, when the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assumed responsibility of the state’s school nutrition programs, to today’s 313 schools.
The HealthierUS School Challenge, a joint effort with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the United States Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary certification initiative that recognizes schools’ efforts to improve food and beverage options, offer nutrition education and promote physical activity. Schools must meet specific criteria, such as providing smarter snacks and opportunities for physical activity.
“A healthy lifestyle is the foundation for academic success, and these schools have gone above and beyond to give their students the fuel they need to excel in the classroom,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
In an effort to expand the program, the department offers many resources to help school districts earn HUSSC certification, including specialists throughout the state to provide personal, hands-on support. The department continually works to certify and recertify schools, as schools must re-apply for their HUSSC status every four years.
Schools can apply for four different levels of designation: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Award of Distinction. The following schools were recently awarded HUSSC designation in June:
Alachua County Public Schools
- Alachua Elementary School (Bronze)
- Archer Elementary School (Bronze)
- C.W. Norton Elementary School (Bronze)
- Lake Forest Elementary School (Bronze)
- M.K. Rawlings Elementary School (Bronze)
- Newberry Elementary School (Bronze)
- Stephen Foster Elementary School (Bronze)
- W.A. Metcalfe Elementary School (Bronze)
- William S. Talbot Elementary School (Bronze)
Martin County School District
- Bessey Creek Elementary School (Bronze)
- Citrus Grove Elementary School (Bronze)
- Crystal Lake Elementary School (Silver)
- Felix Williams Elementary School (Bronze)
- Hobe Sound Elementary School (Silver)
- Jensen Beach Elementary School (Bronze)
- Palm City Elementary School (Bronze)
- Sea Wind Elementary School (Silver)
Putnam County School District
- Kelley Smith Elementary School (Silver)
- Middleton-Burney Elementary School (Silver)
Santa Rosa County School District
- Bagdad Elementary School (Gold)
- Benny Russell Elementary School (Silver)
- Berryhill Elementary School (Silver)
- Chumuckla Elementary School (Silver)
- East Milton Elementary School (Gold)
- Gulf Breeze Middle School (Bronze)
- Holley Navarre Intermediate School (Silver)
- Holley Navarre Middle School (Bronze)
- Holley Navarre Primary School (Silver)
- Jay Elementary School (Bronze)
- Oriole Beach Elementary School (Bronze)
- Pea Ridge Elementary School (Silver)
- SS Dixon Intermediate School (Silver)
- SS Dixon Primary School (Bronze)
- Thomas L. Sims Middle School (Bronze)
- West Navarre Intermediate School (Bronze)
- West Navarre Primary School (Bronze)
- W.H. Rhodes Elementary School (Gold)
For more information about the HealthierUS School Challenge Initiative and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
