September 27, 2012 – Last week, SNA President Sandra Ford, SNS, attended the 2012 Nutrition + Physical Activity Connection Summit at the Renaissance Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Va.

Presented by GENYOUth—in partnership with the National Dairy Council, the National Football League, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American School Health Association—the summit brought together such thought leaders as health professionals, educators, athletes, students, chefs and corporations. The goal of the summit was to explore the connection that physical activity and nutrition have to learning and behavior, as well as to examine the barriers and opportunities to help schools set and achieve wellness policies and practices.

Ford was joined by Chef Carla Hall, cohost of ABC’s “The Chew,” as well as by eight of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassadors, to participate in a summit segment called “Crafting Healthy School Breakfasts.” During this segment, both Ford and Hall helped to reinforce the importance of breakfast, with Hall affirming that the solution to healthier kids begins with breakfast. Ford also discussed how in Manatee County (Fla.) School District, student involvement by way of taste-testing panels is the key to successfully introducing new menu items.

To learn more about the summit, view the video below or visit the GENYOUth Foundation website at www.genyouthfoundation.org.