Apples at the North Shore Middle School

Apples Prior to the ELA Tests at NS Middle School

The Middle School Nutrition Committee views nutritious and minimally processed whole foods as essential to a developing child. They support educational and food service initiatives that foster a healthy enjoyable relationship with food and empower learners with the tools to make food choices that promote health and well-being.
Denise Rieger, a member of the MS Nutrition Committee, stated, “When Dr. Ferris had read an article about a school in NYC that had barrels of apples available to kids throughout the day, we thought it would be great to get some fruit for the kids during state testing to give them some nutrients before sitting for the tests.” She continued, “We decided to ask for donations of apples since they would be easier for the kids to grab and eat.”
After numerous emails were sent out to local supermarkets, David and Amy Mandell, middle school parents and owners of Holiday Farms and Locust Valley Market, generously donated 700 apples for students to enjoy prior to their tests. Mrs. Rieger, stated, “The apples were a big hit. Teachers were so excited to see all the kids eating the apples and came up to thank the Nutrition Committee for handing them out. They even said we should do this every day!" 

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States and throughout the world. One medium apple with the skin contains only 95 calories, whereas the average-sized candy bar can have anywhere from 180 to 270 calories. Choosing nutrient-dense and lower-calorie foods such as apples in place of refined, fatty or high-sugar foods can help reduce your child's total calorie intake throughout the day and promote healthy weight.
Obesity in children can cause bone deformities, arthritis, asthma, sleep disturbances, high blood pressure and cholesterol, gallstones, fertility problems later in life, diabetes and depression among a list of other complications. You can avoid weight gain in your child by giving him or her nutritious, balanced meals and healthy snacks throughout the day that meet within his daily caloric needs.
For more information on the Middle School Nutrition Committee and listings of the ingredients of the cafeteria food and healthy recipes and articles, please visitwww.nsmsnutrition.blogspot.com.