ALEXANDRIA, Va., October 24, 2008 – Student voters from across the country have made their decision, and Pete Pizza is taking the national prize as winner of the Vote for School Lunch 2008 Presidential Election. Celebrated by students from coast to coast during National School Lunch Week, this year’s “Vote for School Lunch” marked the third and final round of lunchroom elections.
Created by the non-profit School Nutrition Association, the “Vote for School Lunch” campaign transformed five healthy school versions of favorite lunches into fun, sporty, life-like candidates. The candidates campaigned on their platform of sound dietary values, great taste and lunchroom versatility. Students have been voting in schools and online at www.VoteForSchoolLunch.org since late August. The candidates were:
Pete Pizza was the top slice in 46 of the 50 states followed by runner-up, Biff Burger, winner of the 2007 primary. Kentucky, Florida and Georgia had a three-way tie for the most number of students to participate in the “Vote for School Lunch” campaign with Tennessee and Texas following right behind as hundreds of thousands of students made their choice. Gloria Grilled cheese was the big winner in Wyoming, Larry Lasagna took the District of Columbia, Nevada and Oregon and Petunia Pita Pocket got a healthy amount of votes in every state.
Campaign activities among the schools that participated in ‘Vote’ included election days complete with media interviews, candidate debates and cafeteria voting booths. The program stretched outside the lunchroom with students participating in red, white and blue election parades, Art classes creating candidate costumes and posters and English classes competing in essay contests where students could invent a Cafeteria Bill of Rights and/or Cafeteria Constitution.
In addition to helping students learn about the nutritious food choices available at school, the ‘Vote’ campaign tied in with the 2008 Presidential election. Students became familiar with the voting process with their own election to follow, campaign for and cast their ballot in.
National School Lunch Week was established in 1963 by a proclamation from President John F. Kennedy. It is designed to help raise awareness for the important role that school nutrition programs play in the lives of America’s children. Each year, the School Nutrition Association (SNA) helps schools celebrate NSLW with an official theme, suggested menus and recipes, promotional resources, activity sheets, decoration ideas and more. SNA's National School Lunch Week promotions are made possible in partnership with MilkPEP and Land O'Lakes School Foodservice.
About School Nutrition Association:
The School Nutrition Association (SNA), www.schoolnutrition.org, is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. The Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals. Founded in 1946, SNA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.
www.VoteForSchoolLunch.org Learn more about the winner and the election
National School Lunch Week Member site with full vote results
School Meals Proven a Healthy Choice More on healthy school lunches
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Erik Peterson 703-739-3900epeterson@schoolnutrition.org
Students vote for their favorite healthy school lunch during National School Lunch Week, October 13 – 17, 2008
ALEXANDRIA Va. (October 13, 2008) At town hall meetings, in school cafeterias and on the blogs, the talk is of flavor and favorites. In a tightly contested race, the polls put Pete Pizza – with a whole grain crust and lowfat cheese, ahead of the challengers: Biff Burger, Gloria Grilled Cheese, Petunia Pita Pocket and Larry Lasagna in the 2008 Vote for School Lunch – Presidential Edition. Since July, the five candidates have been wooing students from Alaska to Florida with whole grain goodness and low fat cheesiness all in anticipation of the election, held October 13 – 17, 2008, during National School Lunch Week. The third annual Vote for School Lunch campaign concludes October 24, 2008, when the School Nutrition Association will announce the wining 'candidate.' Students nationwide are invited to cast their ballot online at www.VoteForSchoolLunch.org and in school cafeterias up until Friday, October 17, 2008. Those that ‘Vote for School Lunch’ will also learn more about healthy meal choices at school. This year’s candidates include Gloria Grilled with whole grain bread and lowfat cheese; Petunia Pita Pocket with whole wheat tortilla, veggies and lean turkey; Larry Lasagna with whole wheat pasta and spinach; Biff Burger with a lean patty and a whole wheat bun; and Pete Pizza with a whole grain crust and lowfat cheese.
The candidates are campaigning on their platform of sound dietary values, great taste and lunchroom versatility The third and final year of the "Vote for School Lunch" program features a heated battle between candidates Pete Pizza, winner of the first-ever election in 2006; Biff Burger, winner of the 2007 fall election; and three new contenders that were designed and submitted by students: Gloria Grilled Cheese, Larry Lasagna and Petunia Pita Pocket. Each candidate will relay the nutritional benefits of their school meal versions as well as their physical fitness and extra curricular activities.
Among the activities occurring nationwide this week:
SNA’s nationwide membership of 55,000 school nutrition professionals work in schools and in communities to provide balanced, nutritious school meals and information on proper portion sizes and nutrition education for children. Within the federally funded National School Lunch Program:
National School Lunch Week which was established in 1963 by a proclamation by President John F. Kennedy. It is designed to help raise awareness of and garner support for the role that school foodservice and nutrition programs play in the lives of America’s children. The School Nutrition Association celebrates the event each year with a theme and promotional materials. Land O’ Lakes School Foodservice and MilkPEP provided support for this year’s campaign.
Signed into law by President Harry Truman, the National School Lunch Program provides nutritionally balanced low-cost and free meals to students. Today, healthful options are available in schools nationwide. According to the 2008 SNA Back to School Trends Report school districts are increasing the availability of whole grain products for the second straight year with 85.2% of school nutrition directors describing such policies in place in their school districts. Reducing or limiting trans fats showed a sizeable increase in popularity since 2007, up to 81.8% from 73.6%. Other policies in place among a significant number of districts include: increasing the availability of healthier beverages in vending machines (74.6%;) limiting fat content of a la carte/vending items (71.8%;) reducing or limiting the amount of added sugar in foods (70.1%;) and reducing or limiting the sodium content in foods (57%), which was asked for the first time this year.
SNA, the School Nutrition Association, is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. The Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals. Founded in 1946, SNA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.
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