Hannaford Brings FoodPlay program to Lincoln and Proctor Schools

Northborough schools continue to offer students fun and educational programs about eating healthy and keeping their bodies fit in an effort to decrease childhood obesity.

FoodPlay is a national, award-winning nutrition theater show. Joseph Bromfield and Alexandra Moore portrayed Coach and Janey Junkfood during the program. They used amazing feats of juggling, hip-hop music and lots of audience participation to send students some serious messages.

Students gasped in astonishment as it was demonstrated that there are ten teaspoons of sugar in one can of soda and that the average child is consuming about 600 cans of soda per year; therefore, more than 150 pounds of sugar per year. Healthier choices such as orange juice or water were discussed as great alternatives, as well as how mixing fizz water to fruit juice also helps to cut back on the natural sugars of fruit juice.

Even consuming too much chocolate milk is consuming too much sugar.

Some sports drinks, although presented in advertisements as healthy, actually contain high levels of sugar. Other names of sugar, such as high fructose corn syrup, were also mentioned during the program as sugar hides behind these names. The importance of reading ingredient labels was discussed with the jingle “Read it, before you eat it.”

The importance of keeping our bodies in motion was highlighted too. “Whenever you can, move your body,” said the coach. “Stay active one hour every day; more is better.”

Students were told that models on television and in magazines are misleading. “Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes,” said the Coach. “Different is a good thing. Just treat your body right.”

Meal planning and the new food pyramid, My Plate, was introduced by using “Go foods” (foods that are healthy) and the “Whoa foods” (foods that are not a healthy choice).

“Fresh foods are full of texture and colors,” said the Coach. “There are five groups: protein, grains, dairy, fruits and veggies. Half your plate should be fruits and veggies.”

l’s nurse Diane Gage, along with the school librarian Joanne Giancola, were instrumental in bringing the Fresh Adventures at Hannaford – FoodPlay Tour to the school. After a grant proposal to fund the program fell through, they approached the local Hannaford, which assisted them to still arrange for the program. Hannaford also offered the same to Lincoln Street School.

Marlborough Hannaford Assistant Manager Scott Bilodeau was present for the program and was happy to have been involved with bringing the program to both schools this year. “It ties in with the Hannaford’s Guiding Stars program too,” he said.

Jane Scotland and Sally Pini, both school nurses at , along with Trish Rollins, physical education teacher, are also working on many fitness and health initiatives at the school. In addition to their training, they have taken professional development courses at Framingham State that address the childhood obesity epidemic.

“We continually run various events throughout the year to educate our students about health and wellness,” said Scotland. “In the past we have run such programs as the Welch's P.A.C.K Program (Pack Assorted Colors for Kids) encouraging children to pack a variety of fruits and vegetables for snack and lunch. We have worked with the American Heart Association and participated in an annual Jump Rope for Heart event. We also have partnered with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and participated in the Walk to Cure Diabetes.”

Rollins and Scotland are also both on the Health/Wellness Advisory Committee for Northborough-Southborough which is in the process of surveying all teachers in Kindergarten through fifth grade to eventually create a standard for nutrition education in the district.

“We had looked into nutrition education enrichment programs because we do not have a separate health teacher, so we need to work together as a coordinated school health program,” said Scotland. “We have also implemented an employee wellness program to continue to keep staff updated with new health initiatives. We have also been in contact with Jamie Terry, Board of Health Agent in the town of Northbrough, and she has helped to secure funds from the Building a Healthy Northborough Grant to allow us to implement the Take 10! program at Lincoln Street School later this school year.”

The Take 10! program allows classroom teachers to utilize movement breaks into their teaching methods, thus allowing kids another opportunity to be physically active.

“The children were very excited and receptive to FoodPlay’s learning method,” said Scotland. “They loved the program!”

This column highlights some of the schools’ many special programs, speakers, events, and community service projects.  If you are aware of a program that you would like featured in this column, please email Liz Nolan at lizard211@gmail.com.