FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2012

NONPROFIT COMPLETES ITS 15-YEAR MISSION TO IMPROVE RI SCHOOL FOOD: URGES COMMUNITIES TO CONTINUE THE WORK

Pawtucket, RI February 1, 2012 - In June, Rhode Island nonprofit organization Kids First will complete nearly two decades of service related to its mission of improving school wellness. Partnering with individuals and groups in Rhode Island school districts to better health outcomes for students and school communities, the organization has seen positive change come to all 36 school districts, including the dramatic expansion of fresh, locally grown foods being served in school cafeterias as part of the Rhode Island Farm to School project.

Increased focus on healthier communities nationwide has helped set the stage in RI for broader partner participation and more enthusiastic acceptance of healthier school food and increased physical activity in schools. As a result, many non-profits, agencies and coalitions around the state share common goals related directly to the Kids First mission. The organization’s collaborative expertise, strategic partnerships, historical data and deep understanding of the issues pave the way forward for continuation of related work statewide, especially in other Rhode Island institutional food environments like daycares, worksites and hospitals.

Since the non-profit’s inception in 1997, Kids First has spearheaded healthy school food successes statewide. State laws and regulations, including the 2009 adoption of Rhode Island Nutritional Requirements (RINR) by the Board of Regents, have made RI school food nutritional standards superior to current federal requirements. Rhode Island was first in the nation to require whole grains, more fruits and vegetables and lower sodium in school food. As it completes its work this school year, Kids First calls everyone to action, including other organizations and funders, to continue to work towards shared goals that improve the health of all Rhode Islanders, especially children.

For more information about this particular news story, please contact:
Dorothy Brayley, Founder & Executive Director, Kids First
TEL: 401-475-9696
EMAIL: dbrayley@kidsfirstri.org

For more information about Kids First’s 15 years of work in RI communities, please visit the website at: www.kidsfirstri.org

###

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kids First Chefs Kimberly Sporkmann and Sandy Sepe Join First Lady Michelle Obama on White House Lawn to Bring Focus to Improving School Food

Kids First Chefs in Washington D.C. - June 2010

 

 

 

 

Kids First in the News

January 2012 - Providence Journal - "Students Lead the Charge for Healthy Eating"

January 2012 - Providence Journal - "Tomato Paste is a Vegetable? Not at Groton Junior High"

January 2012 - North Kingstown Patch - "Langevin Promotes Locally Grown Lunches for Students"

January 2012 - Boston Globe (bostonglobe.com) - "RI Congressman Pushes Farm, School Link"

December 2011 - NY Times - "How the Food Industry Eats Your Kid's Lunch"

November 2011 - Providence Journal - "A Call to Parents to Improve Their Children's Eating Habits"

November 2011 - Warwick Beacon - "Health Advocates Share "Recipes" to Outweigh Childhood Obesity

November 2011 - Providence Journal - "Fitness: A Moving Target

November 2011 - Westerly Sun - "Fresh from the Farm"

November 2011 - Newport Now -"Newport Students Enjoy Harvest Meal"

October 2011 - East Bay Life - "Students Celebrate with Harvest Meals"

October 2011 - Coventry Patch - "Coventry Schools Take Part in ARAMARK Food Week

October 2011 - Your Smithfield Magazine - "Farm to School Program Makes Eating Fresh, Local Foods Fun"

October 2011 - Barrington Patch - "New School Policy, First 'Food Day' Push Drive to Eat Healthier

September 2011 - RI Monthly - "Lunch School - Kids First is Smart About Nutrition"

September 2011 - Cranston Herald - HSC Breakfast 2011

Fall 2011: Edible Rhody - "What's Growing On in Our School Lunchrooms?"

September 2011: Narragansett Bay Journal - The RI Farm to School Project

August 2011: US House of Representatives Congressional Recognition for Kids First by Rep. David Cicilline (UTube video)

May 2011: USDA Under Secretary Avalos Praises Farm to School at Ag Day Speech (video on UTube)

May 2011: Winning Project Connects Local Farms to Local Students - ECO-RI News

April 2011: New Food Thursdays in Cafeteria - The Purple Chronicle, Classical HS Online Newspaper

April 2011: Kids First Program Wins Chafee Conservation Award - Providence Journal

April 2011: State Environmental Awards Announced - Southern RI Newspapers

April 2011: Kids First Wins John Chafee Award - Valley Breeze

March 2011: Coventry Celebrates Wellness Week - Kent Co. Times

March 2011: Healthy Choices for Students - Warwick Beacon

March 2011: Healthy Choices for Students - Johnston Sun Rise

March 2011: Wellness Week in Schools - Coventry Patch

March 2011: Home Grown Ingredients at Lunch - Valley Breeze

March 2011: RI Schools Make Lunches Healthier - NBC10

February 2011: HealthCheck - Healthier School Lunches- NBC10

February 2011: Kids First Executive Director Keynote at Local Food Forum - ProJo

January 2011: Healthy Goals in Sight for Newport - Newport Now