SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Nutrition Implementation Strategies and the appointment of its 23 members. The list of Committee members is attached.

The Committee has been charged with recommending strategies that schools can implement to improve the quality of food and beverages sold or served on school campuses.

"This committee is one of the many steps needed to address the overall health and well-being of California students," O'Connell said. "The kinds of food and beverages schools serve send a strong signal to young people about what they should be eating. We need to help them make wise choices and not tempt them with empty calories and fatty snacks and meals."

It has been shown that healthy, active, and well-nourished children are more likely to attend school and are more prepared and motivated to learn. Yet an alarming number of students in California are overweight, unfit, or both. These children and youth are developing serious health problems now and face dire consequences in the future.

The 23 members represent students, school food service directors, school administrators, state agencies, teachers, parents, professional associations, and advocacy organizations that will all be working to improve the nutrition environment on school campuses.

The Committee will develop recommendations after considering factors within the following three broad areas: program, policy, and governance decisions; facilities and equipment availability; and fiscal implications.

Members of the general public are invited to attend the meetings and will be given opportunities to provide input.

The Committee, which will convene on a monthly basis from May through October, will hold its first meeting from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., May 13, 2005, at California Department of Education (CDE) headquarters, 1430 N Street, room 1101, in Sacramento.

Update as of March 17, 2006: For the final report of the Advisory Committee on Nutrition Implementation, please visit School Nutrition ... By Design! Released - Year 2006.

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Attachment

State Superintendent of Public Instruction's Advisory Committee
on Nutrition Implementation Strategies to Convene on May 13, 2005