Policy Update: National Nutrition Month Recap

By Deborah Backman, MPH Candidate, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health

To increase awareness of children’s health and wellness initiatives, Phipps' Let’s Move Pittsburgh project provides Policy Update, a monthly column on local, state and national health policies that impact you.

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? National Nutrition Month (NNM) is an annual nutrition education and information campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. NNM works to increase awareness and knowledge about the importance of making educated food choices and developing healthy eating and exercise habits. The theme of the campaign for 2016 was “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right” and encouraged people to take time to enjoy food traditions and social experiences and eat healthy and flavorful foods.

To complement National Nutrition Month, the School Nutrition Association also celebrated National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) from March 7 – 11. NBSW is a week-long celebration of the National School Breakfast Program. Schools participating in the program hold events, offer special breakfast items, and put decorations around the school. Many schools use the week as an opportunity to increase awareness around and thus participation in their School Breakfast Program. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also participated in School Breakfast Week by celebrating the 50th anniversary of the School Breakfast Program. Additionally, Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon announced on March 7 that USDA would provide up to $6.8 million in competitive Team Nutrition Training Grants to schools and child care sites participating in USDA child nutrition programs. The Team Nutrition initiative provides technical assistance, training, and nutrition education materials for schools and child care providers to support efforts to make school food offerings meet USDA nutrition standards.