SHIP stories
Eating a balanced diet is one of the
most important things we can do to
maintain and improve our health.
Encouraging fruits and vegetables
in schools helps kids grow up strong
and healthy, with good habits that
last a lifetime.
Snack happy in Alexandria
Pears, peppers, and pineapple are climbing up the
list of favorites at St. Mary’s Elementary School in
Alexandria. Over the past year, St. Mary’s School staff
has learned how to promote a healthy snack – and get
kids to eat it.
Spurred by a grant from West Central Wellness SHIP
(Statewide Health Improvement Program), St. Mary’s
School is now providing a healthy morning snack to
all students. West Central Wellness SHIP is funded by
Minnesota Department of Health and is an initiative to
fight physical inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use.
Traditionally, students have been allowed to bring
their own snack for morning break. Unfortunately, the
nutritional value of many of the snacks being consumed
has been declining over the years. As a result, St.
Mary’s School decided to take a stand against
unhealthy eating by changing their morning snack
routines and expectations.
Three days a week, students are provided a snack,
instead of them bringing it from home. Fresh fruits,
vegetables and other healthy foods are prepared
The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) works to improve
health through better nutrition, increased physical activity and
decreased commercial tobacco use and exposure. Find out more at
www.health.state.mn.us/ship
by the school cook and delivered to the classrooms in
the morning. The school used the money from the SHIP
grant to pay for the snack cart, opportunity to taste
test new foods, and staffing needed to implement the
program.
The program has been very well received by the
students and the parents. The students are being
exposed to healthy eating options and parents no
longer need to debate with their children on what
to provide for a snack. The new program has had a
positive effect already. St. Mary’s teaching staff has
seen more nutritional snacks coming in on the days
a snack is not provided, proving that students and
parents are on board with the new expectations.
Based on the positive results thus far, St. Mary’s School
is looking to expand the program by offering healthy
snacks every day of the week next year.
***
SHIP is working to make the healthy choice the easy
choice in Minnesota. Find out how at
www.health.state.mn.us/ship