Kurn Hattin receives USDA’s Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) Bronze Level of Distinction
MONTPELIER – New England Kurn Hattin Homes for Children joined an elite group of nationally certified HeathierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) schools. These schools are committed to promoting healthy lifestyle
choices and creating a wholesome school environment.
Sponsored by USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), HUSSC is a voluntary national certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. It supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier school environments by promoting nutrition and physical activity.
“It is a wonderful accomplishment for the food service department, the students, the school, and the state of Vermont,” said USDA’s School Nutrition Program Specialist Kyle Bogaert.
Kurn Hattin was founded in 1894. Since its founding, Kurn Hattin has served in-need and at-risk children, ages 6-15, from throughout the Northeast. Over 100 boys and girls live and attend school on a 280-acre
campus which includes a working farm.
“We’re very proud to receive this award. It was a campus-wide accomplishment,” said Richard Johnson, Director of Food Services at Kurn Hattin. “Less than 6% of all the schools in the country received the
HUSSC award and that puts us in a special class at the top. Next year, however; we’re going for the gold!”
Kurn Hattin developed a wellness program and revamped their menu to incorporate more whole grains, leaner proteins, and less sodium, fat, and sugar. Students were involved in the planning, creation, and taste-testing of the menu. Throughout this process, students gained an appreciation for making healthy choices and were open to trying new and healthier food choices.
“We were fortunate to have Joanne Jolly as an intern. She was a great asset in the grant application process,” said Johnson. Kurn Hattin partners with Keene State College’s Dietetic Internship; interns focus on providing wellness education and health promotion in the community.
HUSSC announced 473 award winners from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Since the beginning of the HealthierUS School Challenge in 2004, awards have been given to schools in 49 States and the District of Columbia, there are 6,515 schools certified. The names of the schools are posted on the HUSSC awardees list on the USDA’s website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/awardwinners.html.
Established in 1894, Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster, Vermont is a charitable, year-round home and school for boys and girls, ages 6-15, who are affected by family tragedy or social or economic hardship.
Kurn Hattin Homes transforms the lives of children and their families forever. www.kurnhattin.org
