Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that 30 more Florida schools earned HealthierUS School Challenge designations during December, bringing the current total of Florida’s HUSSC schools to 249. 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.
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.
“It’s great that these schools are providing their students the nutrition and physical activity needed for academic success,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Our goal is to continue working with schools to increase the amount healthy choices offered to Florida’s students.”
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 December:
Odyssey Charter Inc.
- Oasis Preparatory Academy (Silver)
- Odyssey Charter School- Elementary (Gold Award of Distinction)
- Odyssey Charter School- Jr./Sr. High School (Silver)
- Odyssey Preparatory Academy (Gold Award of Distinction)
Duval County School District
- New Berlin Elementary School (Bronze)
Escambia County School District
- CA Weis Elementary School (Bronze)
- Ferry Pass Elementary School (Bronze)
- Holm Elementary School (Bronze)
- Molino Park Elementary School (Bronze)
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School (Bronze)
- O.J. Semmes Elementary School (Bronze)
Flagler County School District
- Rymfire Elementary School (Bronze)
The School District of Osceola County
- Boggy Creek Elementary School (Silver)
- Celebration School (Bronze)
- Chestnut Elementary School (Silver)
- Discovery Intermediate School ( Silver)
- East Lake Elementary School (Silver)
- Neptune Elementary School (Silver)
Palm Beach County School District
- S.D. Spady Elementary School (Bronze)
- Timber Trace Elementary School ( Bronze)
Pinellas County School District
- Bardmoor Elementary School (Bronze)
- Belcher Elementary School (Bronze)
- Brooker Creek Elementary School (Bronze)
- Curtis Fundamental Elementary School (Bronze)
- John M. Sexton Elementary School (Bronze)
- Marjorie Rawlings Elementary School (Bronze)
- Plumb Elementary School (Bronze)
- Skycrest Elementary School (Bronze)
- Sunset Hills Elementary School (Bronze)
- Tarpon Springs Elementary School (Bronze)
For more information about the HealthierUS School Challenge Initiative and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
