What did they want to do?

Students worked with school officials at Parlier High School to reduce the number of sodas sold in vending machines and replace them with water and natural fruit juices and to add a low-fat, milk-based strawberry smoothie to the snack bar menu.

Who took action?
Fifteen student advocates and an instructor with support from the Principal and Food Service Director

Where did this happen?
Central Valley Project LEAN - school

Demographics

• School population 834 students
• 100% of the students qualify for free- and reduced-price lunches
• 100% Hispanic

Academic Year Implemented
2005-2006 Academic Year

Why did they want to do it?
Parlier High School wanted to insure that three slots of each soda vending machine contained water and natural fruit juices. The school also wanted to add a strawberry fruit smoothie made with 1% milk to the snack bar menu.

Background

How did they accomplish their goal?
Step 1:

In the Parlier High School Leadership class, the Home Economics instructor was able to integrate the Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s School Health Index and California Project LEAN’s Playing the Policy Game workbook with the course curriculum. The leadership class members became the High School Health Leaders and developed the motto “Got Leadership?” They utilized the motto to increase support with their high school peers, administration, and the school board. The leadership team used the School Health Index and Playing the Policy Game to assess their school environment and develop their recommendation that “all venues outside of the cafeteria contain healthy (food) options.”

Step 2:

A successful Student Snack Taste Off provided awareness to students that healthy foods really do taste good. The winning beverage was a “Strawberry Smoothie” made with 1% milk. Low sodium, flavored pretzels were available for student purchase, but students had seldom tried them. After the taste test, students realized healthy snacks are delicious and nutritious!

Step 3:

The assessment results and the success of the Snack Taste Off were presented to the School Site Council and school board. Parlier High School’s Principal and Food Service Director are leading students to healthier snacks by adding a 1% milk strawberry smoothie to the student snack bar and by insuring three slots of each soda vending machine contains water and natural fruit juices. These changes will be implemented in the fall of 2005.

What were their results?
The principal of the high school provided the district’s Food Service Director with a letter requesting that by August 2005:

• Each soda vending machine contain three slots of water or natural fruit juices

• A strawberry smoothie made with 1% milk is added to the high school’s snack bar menu

What are their future plans?
The student advocates are planning to work with Food Service by promoting the strawberry smoothies, water and natural fruit juices to their peers with the ultimate goal of promoting student health.

For More Information Contact
Vera Ibarra
Central Valley Project LEAN
900 Newmark Ave.
Parlier, CA  93648
United States
(559) 646-2731
[email protected]