 |
News Release
Monday, May 15, 2006
Contact: Susanne Forte, 202-686-2210, ext. 339, sforte@pcrm.org
PCRM Calling for Nominations for Golden Carrot Awards to Recognize Healthy School Lunch Programs
Grand Prize of $5,000 Will Recognize Outstanding Food Service Professionals and Highlight the Role of Vegetarian Foods and Healthy School Lunches in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity
WASHINGTON—The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
(PCRM) is seeking nominations for its third annual Golden Carrot
Awards for outstanding school food service professionals. The grand
prize winner will receive $1,500 and a $3,500 check made out to
her or his school or school district. Up to four additional awards
will be given, with $500 going to the food service professional
and $500 to benefit the school food service program.
“We want to recognize schools tackling the link between
childhood obesity and the high-fat, artery-clogging food typically
served in the lunchroom,” says PCRM nutritionist Dulcie Ward,
R.D. “School lunch programs that serve high fiber, low-fat
entrees such as bean burritos or veggie burgers, along with fresh
fruit, vegetables and other vegetarian foods will help children
reduce their risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension,
and some forms of cancer.”
The Golden Carrot Awards honor food service professionals in both
public and private schools. Schools will be evaluated based on
how well they provide schoolchildren with a range of healthy vegetarian
entrees and non-dairy beverages, incorporate plant-based commodity
foods into their menus, promote these healthy choices, and offer
nutrition education programs.
Parents, teachers, principals, fellow food service workers, and
community members are encouraged to nominate professionals who
make a difference in their schools. The deadline for nominations
is October 2. An entry form and a more detailed explanation
of the award criteria are available at www.HealthySchoolLunches.org.
Last year’s winners included schools in Cincinnati, Santa
Barbara, Calif., Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Montpelier, Vt. One winning
food service director was profiled on CBS Sunday Morning.
Winners of this year's contest will be announced in time for National
School Lunch Week, October 9-13, 2006.
Founded in 1985, the Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine,
especially good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical research
studies, opposes unethical human experimentation, and promotes
alternatives to animal research.
|
 |