Grand Prize of $5,000 Will Recognize Outstanding Food Service Professionals and Highlight the Role of Vegetarian Foods and Healthy School Lunches in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity
WASHINGTON—The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is extending its nominations deadline until September 14 for its fourth annual Golden Carrot Awards for outstanding school food service professionals. The grand prize winner will receive $1,500 and a $3,500 check made out to her or his school or school district. Up to four additional awards will be given, with $500 going to the food service professional and $500 to benefit the school food service program.
“We want to recognize schools tackling the link between childhood obesity and the high-fat, artery-clogging food typically served in the lunchroom,” says PCRM nutritionist Dulcie Ward, R.D. “School lunch programs that serve high-fiber, low-fat entrées such as bean burritos or veggie burgers, along with fresh fruit, vegetables and other vegetarian foods, will help children reduce their risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and some forms of cancer.”
The Golden Carrot Awards honor food service professionals in both public and private schools. Schools will be evaluated based on how well they provide schoolchildren with a range of healthy vegetarian entrées and non-dairy beverages, promote these healthy choices, and offer nutrition education programs.
Parents, teachers, principals, fellow food service workers, and community members are encouraged to nominate professionals who make a difference in their schools. An entry form and a more detailed explanation of the award criteria are available at www.HealthySchoolLunches.org. Winners will be announced in time for National School Lunch Week, October 15-19, 2007.
Last year’s winners included food service professionals at schools in Ojai, Calif., Pinellas County in Largo, Fla., Morristown, N.J., Albuquerque, N.M., and Atlanta. Students and a food service director from one winning school were featured in a New Jersey Star-Ledger article last year. Two years ago, a winning food service director was profiled on CBS Sunday Morning.
For more information or an interview with Ms. Ward, please contact Edith Sodolo at 202-686-2210, ext. 339, or esodolo@pcrm.org.
