RI Department of Education Awarded 2008 Team Nutrition Grant: RI Team Nutrition Project 2009-2010:

"Power Up! With Veggies, Fruits, Whole Grains and Legumes!"
A communications and education assistance program to help school districts promote and build acceptance for newly mandated RINR school meals

The 2008 Team Nutrition Grant, entitled “Power Up With Veggies, Fruits, Whole Grains and Legumes!” will develop and deliver a Communication and Education Technical Assistance System (C&E System) both locally and statewide. The C&E System will help to build and ensure community-wide acceptance for RINR - the new nutritional requirements for RI school meals.

Local efforts will be focused on helping food service staff build enthusiasm for their RINR compliant meals and snacks among students, staff, parents and communities. District and school events might include taste tests, chef demos, creation of take home educational messages for parent newsletters and menu surveys.

Statewide efforts will build recognition and support for districts implementing RINR by sharing the success stories and communicating them statewide to inspire other districts and further educate local communities. These efforts might include creation and distribution of media releases, communication with local reporters and photographers and distribution of local media coverage of RINR related events via the Kids First website.

 

Nutritional Requirements for School Meals Will be Implemented Statewide for Fall 2009

The Rhode Island Board of Regents has mandated a stringent nutritional criteria for Rhode Island school meals, called

RINR- (Rhode Island Nutritional Requirements).

These nutritional requirements will be in effect for all school breakfasts, lunches and after school snack meals served as part of the USDA Child Nutrition programs. RINR exceeds the federal nutrition guidelines and will result in healthier school food for students. RINR requires an increase in the variety and amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and a reduced amount of sodium.

RINR means Rhode Island students will be served healthier meals than most of the nation! Great news for our little state!