The grant was one of only two awarded by the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association each year for nutrition education. According to Amy Brinton, Registered Dietitian, Metz & Associates Ltd., and nutrition educator at the Pennsbury School District, the funds from the grant will be put to use during the 2007-2008 school year to create a “Think Your Drink!” nutritional education video for middle school students and also for “3-A-Day of Dairy” education for elementary school students.

The “Think Your Drink!” video will address the growing concern of increased student consumption of various energy drinks and other unhealthy beverages and educate students on healthier drink options, including milk. “The idea for the nutrition education video came after a food advisory meeting where an assistant principal voiced her concern over the consumption of energy drinks by the students,” Brinton said. “She noted that students were going to the school nurse with side effects from caffeine in the drinks.”

“It was decided at the meeting that the best way to reach the middle school age group was to involve the high school video production team in the development of the 35-minute educational video,” Brinton added. “We are involving the students’ peers in the creation of the video, because we feel it will help to generate more interest.”

The Pennsbury School District will also hold “3-A-Day of Dairy” lunchtime celebrations for its elementary students. The concept behind “3-A-Day of Dairy” is to teach the students about the importance of getting three servings of dairy or other calcium-rich food everyday to achieve a healthy and balanced diet. Brinton plans to educate the students about different nutrition concepts related to dairy, such as the importance of choosing low-fat dairy products and appropriate serving sizes, in addition to the calcium-osteoporosis connection.

“The grant funds will be used to purchase costumes, such as a life-size milk carton, to engage and entertain the children during the celebration,” Brinton said. Students will also be given a chance to win various giveaways.

In addition to the video and the celebrations, Pennsbury students can look forward to many other opportunities to engage in fun activities on healthy eating during the 2007-2008 school year. The “3 A Day of Dairy” promotion will be a part of Metz’s Nutritious Friends of the Month, a program that utilizes the Metz healthy eating mascot, Commissioner Nutrition, a master of mystery, who investigates and introduces students to new fruits, vegetables and other food items. The featured item is then incorporated into monthly menus, food samplings, special promotions, trivia and word games and educational programs for the classroom. The students can also participate in the Healthy Eater’s Club, which provides elementary students with the chance to have fun while learning about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.

Metz & Associates, Ltd., a premier food service company for the Northeast United States, provides dining and environmental management services to clients such as hospitals, nursing homes, school districts, college and universities, and corporate offices. For more information on Metz & Associates, Ltd., visit our website at www.metzltd.com or call 570-675-8100.