A Health Crusade In Philadelphias Public Schools

It was becoming a real problem. The kids were not only late for school but when they
got here they werent performing well. Donna Smith, Principal at John Wister
Elementary School in Philadelphia describes the consequences of habitual morning pit
stops, in which students would stock up on 7-11 essentials--Doritos, gummy worms and
Mountain Dew--to endure the grueling 6-hour school day.
In response to these practices and their visibly adverse effects, Principal Smith put her
foot down. In the 2010-2011 academic years she instituted a No Junk Food Policy at
Wister Elementary.
Executive Director of the Center on Hunger and Poverty reports that junk food has a
multitude of consequences on school-age children including poor health and poor
academic performance, which can lead to grade repetition and an increase in
psychological issues.
Further, a report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition traces the correlation
between socioeconomic status and nutritional health. The highest rates of obesity occur
among population groups with the highest poverty rates and least education. Philadelphia
is the poorest of the 10 largest U.S. cities. In 2008, the Philadelphia Department of Public
Health recorded 64% of adults and 57% of children 6-11-years- of-age as overweight or
obese.

Philadelphians, however, are not ignoring the issue. Wister

Elementary is just one out of 160 schools in the Philadelphia
School District committed to curbing unhealthy habits.
The Philadelphia Campaign for Healthier Schools was launched in 2010 in an effort to
increase the availability of healthy foods, nutritional awareness, and physical activity for
students. Headed by a coalition of the School District of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia
Department of Public Health, The Food Trust, and The Bicycle Coalition, the Campaign
supports hundreds of public schools in generating wellness policies.
School is arguably the most important place for a growing child. It is our duty as school
leaders to not only educate our students about health, but provide them with access to
healthy eating, says Smith.
Since its advent, the No Junk Food Policy has seen tremendous success. Smith
comments, Ive noticed an improvement in the students attitudes and their self-esteem.
Kids understand the purpose and theyre seeing the value in it.
Wister has also engaged parents in its health crusade. A monthly family fun night
educates students and parents alike about the importance of nutrition. Cooking classes are

offered, teaching parents how to prepare healthy meals with affordable and accessible
ingredients that they can find at local supermarkets.
It comes down to education. Simple and easy as that, adds Smith.
The Food Trust has helped bring the National Farm to School Initiative to Philadelphias
cafeterias. Since its inauguration in 2009, the organization now provides locally grown
fruits and vegetables to 25 cafeterias across the city. In addition, the organization offers
nutrition education to both students and employees. We take cooks out on farm tours to
see the produce and help them understand how to integrate these foods into their menus,
says Deb Bentzel, Farm to School Program Manager.
The movement, however, is contingent upon student agency. Most recent efforts to
involve students came in the form of a food competition. In February Get Healthy Philly,
a program sponsored by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, launched its first
Culinary Voice Competition. We wanted to find a way for students to have a say in
school lunch changes says Program Manager Amanda Wagner.
Only using approved ingredients that met federal nutritional and cost guidelines, students
from Randolph Technical High and Dobbins High School were put to the challenge,
preparing tasty entrees in a timely twenty minutes. Nysheria Jones, Siani Jackson and
Nyiah Robinson from Randolph Technical High took away gold, seducing the judges
with their Soul Food Chicken Wraps. Not only did the victors bring home some
hardware, but also the promise that their health-inspired dish would be featured in the
districts 2015 cafeteria menu.
Though the Philadelphia School District has made considerable strides in its race to a
healthy and sustainable finish line, it has also experienced roadblocks. 98 percent of
cafeteria funding comes from federal and state programs, whose economic pursuits often
monopolize nutritional initiatives. Recently, the National Potato Council blocked
attempts to reduce starchy vegetables including the elimination of French fries.
Nevertheless, the ground support in Philadelphia is zealous. Smith comments, Real
progress has and will be from the change in attitudes, the communitys mobilization
around the cause.