Kids at Cub Run Elementary School in Penn Laird, Virginia, eat healthier lunches thanks to NAC, the Nutrition Advisory Council, which is made up of fellow students from the fifth grade. (Photo courtesy Anatasia Webb)
Have a Snack with NAC
Student-led group makes healthy changes in school
Fifth graders are helping their friends become healthier by joining a program called NAC. NAC stands for Nutrition Advisory Council. This program benefits children at Cub Run Elementary School in Penn Laird, Virginia. Made up of students at Cub Run, the committee wants to help kids be healthier eaters.
"Students, parents, and school staff are encouraged to unite to promote and educate students about the importance of good nutrition and exercise," says Allie Crawford, Cub Run Elementary's Food Service Manager. She meets once a month with a group of 24 students to plan healthy menus using the Food Guide Pyramid.
The NAC members help with food surveys and menu planning. They taste test new food items and help with the school's health fair. Sanitary practices and food and equipment safety are discussed at their regular meetings. The students also help serve food and new items to their peers.
The United States Department of Agriculture encourages schools to create healthier environments by promoting nutrition and physical activity. Gerald Lehman, Director of Food & Nutrition Services for Rockingham County Public Schools, decided that the schools in his district should form a nutrition committee in each school.
NAC has changed the school's food by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables and more low fat products. The school now uses wheat flour in its homemade buns and rolls, serves fresh or steamed veggies every day, and uses only fat free or 1 per cent milk.
Fifth grader Ava A., Cub Run's student council president, thinks NAC is helpful.
"I think it keeps our food healthy and not junky, and has less calories," she said. "It helps us stay healthy."
HEALTHY KIDS
What's it take to live a healthy lifestyle? It's not as hard as you think! Kid Reporters talk to celebrities, athletes, chefs, and First Lady Michelle Obama about how healthy living leads to happy living. Gets tips, recipes, and more in the Healthy Kids Special Report.
NEWS FOR KIDS, BY KIDS
Get the latest on national and international events, movies, television, music, sports, and more from the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
- Teacher Store
-
Germs! Germs! Germs! - Literacy Fun Pack Express
The Teacher Store 
Germs! Germs! Germs! - Literacy Fun Pack Express
Scholastic After School Literacy Fun Packs Express pair five copies of one of our engaging nonfiction or fiction titles with a one-hour lesson plan – perfect for after school or out-of-school time. The lessons are simple to implement and require little to no preparation time. Perfect for small group read-alouds and aligned to Common Core State Standards, our Literacy Fun Packs Express provide discussion questions, reading tips, an
$19.99
Paperback Book Collection | Grades 1-2
Grades 1-2 $19.99
- Teacher Store
-
Back-to-School Safety
The Teacher Store 
Back-to-School Safety
by Lisa M. HerringtonThe Rookie Read-About® series brings a broad array of topics to vibrant life with striking, full-color photos and just the right amount of fun, factual, fascinating text.
$5.95
Paperback Book | Grades PreK-1
Grades PreK-1 $5.95
