Olentangy Local
Schools Healthy Food
Initiative
Promoting Healthy Eating and Educating Students on Nutrition
Catherine Farrow
American College of Education
LEAD5433 Leadership in Health Education
Professor Chamberlain
September 1, 2024
Why is nutrition
important?
• When it comes to school performance, many
factors are important, but nutrition is key. A
healthy lunch gives students the energy and
focus they need to do well in class. Nutritious
meals help their bodies grow and learn.
• A balanced diet also helps students maintain
a healthy weight, boosting their self-esteem
and confidence. When students feel good
about themselves, they take pride in their
work and perform better. Overall, a healthy
lunch can greatly impact their academic
success.
• (Why Healthy School Lunches Are Critical for
Students' Success, n.d.)
• I am applying the Transtheoretical Model
(TTM) of Behavior Change to this nutrition
initiative. This model focuses on different
stages of change, including
precontemplation, contemplation,
preparation, action, and maintenance,
Transtheoreti offering a framework for understanding
cal Model of and promoting positive behavior change.
Behavior
Change
• The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of
Change), 2022
What needs changed?
IMPROVE FOOD IMPLEMENT CREATE SCHOOL
QUALITY IN SCHOOL NUTRITION GARDENS
CAFETERIAS EDUCATION
PROGRAMS
Improving Food
Quality in School
Cafeterias
• Assessing Current Food Options
• Common issues: high sugar, fat, and
processed foods
• Survey Students and Parents
• Introducing Healthy Choices
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains and lean proteins
• Limiting sugary drinks and snacks
• Partnering with Local Farms and Suppliers
• Providing fresh, locally sourced produce
• Supporting the local economy and reducing
carbon footprint
39 Ways to Improve School Lunches, 2023
Implementing
Nutrition Education
Programs
• Integrating Nutrition into the Curriculum
• Age-appropriate lessons on nutrition and
healthy eating habits
• Teaching the food pyramid and balanced
diets
• Involving Families and the Community
• Workshops and events for parents on
nutrition
• Collaboration with local health
organizations
What-you-can-do-and-checklist, 2015
Creating School
Gardens
• Benefits of School Gardens
• Hands-on learning about where food comes from
• Encouraging children to try new vegetables and fruits
they’ve grown
• Steps to Establish a School Garden
• Identifying a suitable location on school grounds
• Engaging students, staff, and community volunteers
in planning and planting
• Incorporating garden activities into the school
curriculum
• Sustainability and Long-Term Maintenance
• Establishing a student-led gardening club
• Partnering with local gardening experts and
businesses for resources and support
Ceccarini, 2013
Initial Announcements and Informational
Meetings
Promotional Campaigns
Stakeholder Engagement and Feedback
Communicati
on Plan Regular Updates and Progress Reports
Collaborative Communication with Partners
Food surveys sent out through email
Leadership
Leadership Leadership
Style
Participative leadership style to
encourage employee engagement and
Function
Advocacy for nutrition education
throughout grade levels
ownership of the initiative seeking out partnerships with local
farms for local produce
Shonk, 2024 seeking out partnerships with local
businesses and expert gardeners to
create/sustain school gardens
Higher Food Costs
Sourcing Local or Organic Produce
Budget Storage Requirements
Implication Training Existing Staff
s
Marketing and Promotion
Monitoring and Evaluation
Start up cost for school gardens and maintenance of
school gardens
Strengths
• Improved Student Health
• Enhanced Learning and Academic
Performance
• Increased Awareness and
SWOT Education
Analaysis • Community Engagement
Weaknesses
• Budget Constraints
• Resistance to change
• Logistical Challenges
Opportunities
• Access to Grants and Funding
• Partnerships with Local Farms
SWOT and Businesses
Analysis • Increasing Focus on Wellness
continued
Threats
• Competitive Food Options
• Cultural and Social Influences
• Food Supply Chain Issues
• Outcome Measures
• Health Outcomes
Evaluation •
•
Behavioral Outcomes
Student Feedback
Plan • Parent and Teacher Input
• Academic Performance Analysis
12. Evaluating the Initiative, n.d.
Reflection – What worked
well
Engagin Engaging the school community in needs
g assessment
Includin Including community in school garden
g
Reflections - Challenges
Gathering Diverse Funding for Sustainabiltiy
data opinions and garden of garden
interests
THANK
YOU!
References
Ceccarini, A. (2013, August 13). Start a school garden - here's how...
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/08/13/start-school-garden-heres-how
Shonk, K. (2024, August 5). Participative leadership: What it can do for organizations. PON –
Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.
https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/leadership-skills-daily/participative-leadership-what-it-can-do-for-organizati
ons/
The transtheoretical model (stages of change). (2022, November 3).
https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPH-Modules/SB/BehavioralChangeTheories/BehavioralChangeTheories6.ht
ml
39 ways to improve school lunches. (2023, February 27).
https://www.vancopayments.com/education/blog/how-to-improve-school-lunches
References continued
12. evaluating the initiative. (n.d.). https://ctb.ku.edu/en/evaluating-initiative
What-you-can-do-and-checklist [PDF]. (2015).
https://healthyschoolscampaign.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/What-You-Can-Do-a
nd-Checklist.pdf
Why healthy school lunches are critical for students' success. (n.d.).
https://www.ordo.com/articles/why-healthy-school-lunches-are-critical-for-students-success#:~:text=When%20s
tudents%20eat%20a%20healthy,need%20to%20grow%20and%20learn.%26text=It%20also%20helps%20them
%20to,boost%20self%2Desteem%20and%20confidence
.
