Purpose: The link between nutrition, physical activity, and learning is well documented.  Healthy eating and activity patterns are essential for students to achieve their full academic potential, full physical and mental growth, and lifelong health and well-being.  Healthy eating and physical activity, essential for a healthy weight, are also linked to reduced risk for many chronic diseases, like Type 2 diabetes. Residential Child Care Institutions and Private/Parochial Schools have a responsibility to help students learn, establish, and maintain lifelong, healthy eating and activity patterns.  Well-planned and effectively implemented school nutrition and fitness programs have been shown to enhance students’ overall health, as well as their behavior and academic achievement in school.  Staff wellness also is an integral part of a healthy school environment, since staff can be daily role models for healthy behaviors.  

New Foundations Home for Children is committed to providing an environment that promotes and protects children’s health, well-being and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity.  Therefore, the above policy is meant to comply with the Student Health and Fitness Act (Section 204, Public 1-08-265) enacted June 2004 as part of the federal Child Nutrition Program and meal reimbursement funds and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-296).

When to Perform:  Daily, Weekly, Monthly, where applicable.

Goal: All clients of New Foundations Home for Children shall possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious food choices and enjoyable physical activity choices for a lifetime.  All staff are encouraged to model healthful eating and physical activity, health and nutrition education and other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness, marketing, and implementation. This policy is designed to effectively utilize community resources and to equitably serve the needs and interests of all clients and staff, taking into consideration differences in culture.

Revision/Review Dates:   Review: 8/2015, 06/2016, 6/2017, 7/2019, 11/20

Reviewed and Revised 11/19/2020 by Lisa Norton HR/FS Manager