Are you up to the Whole Grains Challenge? Needville Independent School District (ISD) set a great example for school foodservice in Texas last year by being named runner-up in the program. Now it is up to other Texas School Food Authorities (SFAs) to capitalize on Needville's success. The third annual Whole Grains Challenge, a special awards program for foodservice outlets across the country, will take place in October. It is sponsored by the Whole Grains Council, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group working to increase consumption of whole grains for better health. The challenge is for SFAs to serve at least one healthy and delicious whole grain option on their menu at all times. The Web site www.wholegrainscouncil.org/get-involved/2009-whole-grains-challenge provides details about the challenge and how to enter. Winners receive publicity and a variety of whole grain products to entice the people they serve to continue exploring these nutritious foods.

Last year, Needville ISD Director of Child Nutrition, Sarah Carr, was initially hesitant about participating in the Whole Grains Council's 2008 Whole Grains Challenge. When the district was selected as runner-up in the K-12 (small schools) category in November, Carr traded her hesitation for motivation. "This win opened the door," she said. "Now I want to maximize options and introduce as many whole grains as possible."

Carr received challenge guidelines in April 2008 and used them to direct menu planning. "I was on the lookout for ideas throughout the summer," she said. To meet challenge rules, Carr needed to include at least one whole grain item a day on all menus on all campuses. "We already offered whole grain cereal at breakfast, but decided to go further and incorporate things like crispy tacos with corn shells, whole wheat buns, whole grain pizza, whole grain spaghetti, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and those kinds of things," Carr explained. She put asterisks on the menu to indicate whole grain options, which made it easier for students to choose them. "In the challenge entry, you had to show which items were whole grains," she said. "We had about 15 to 20 whole grain menu items. As far as occurrences, these items were showing up roughly five times a week."

Putting whole grains on the menu was not enough, though. Carr put the Whole Grains Council logo and motto, "Whole Grains at Every Meal," on cafeteria menus and used PA announcements to encourage students to take the Whole Grains Challenge. "We did a lot of marketing and selling the ‘make half your grains whole' idea," Carr said. Her efforts paid off. Carr received across the board support from parents, students and the district. She noted that the Needville community as a whole supports healthy alternatives, and added, "Anytime you introduce something new you need to get buy-in from the students. After a lot of interaction, the kids have become conditioned to expect whole grains." Carr is grateful because participation helps cover the cost of healthier, more expensive menu items like whole grains.

Follow Needville ISD's example and become involved in this year's challenge. "Now that it's come full circle, it's been so rewarding for everyone involved," Carr said.