Healthy Eating Minnesota Community:

Dakota County Public Health Department

“Smart Choices”

Project Description

Dakota County Public Health Department (DCPHD), working in partnership with seven school districts from throughout the county, will implement a healthy eating campaign designed to improve the availability of fruits and vegetables in the schools and create a healthier eating culture among Dakota County students, parents, staff, and community members.

The goal of “Smart Choices” is to make it easy for students and staff to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day. A recent survey of participating schools found that only one-third of foods available outside of school lunch programs meet healthy standards, and just five percent of food options are fruits and vegetables.

Starting this school year, Smart Choices will work to increase healthy foods and beverages available throughout schools including food from vending machines, school stores, snack carts, cafeteria a la carte lines, concession stands and school celebrations. As part of this of effort, DCPHD will also work to rejuvenate the school districts’ wellness committees.