I​n 2012, the School Nutrition Program began partnering with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to pilot the Strong4Life School Nutrition Program.

Nutrition experts from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta provided training to all school nutrition managers o​​​​​n Georgia’s childhood obesity crisis and empowered school nutrition managers to take an active role in modeling healthy behaviors, including the 4 Strong4Life Healthy Habits:

Eat smarter, drink water

Get rest to be your best

Screens away, go play

Emotions are real, express how you feel

School Nutrition Managers received guidance on promoting and presenting an enticing school cafeteria environment to influence students to make healthy food choices.

In addition, 20 elementary schools were selected as part of the pilot to receive​ additional support throughout SY 12-13. School nutrition managers receive guidance to implement strategies to present school meals attractively, prompt students with encouragement, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

These 20 schools were also offered the opportunity to participate in the complimentary Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Strong4Life Challenge Program, which reinforces the educational message of the Strong4Life 4 Healthy Habits in an energetic, cool and kid-friendly way, while also providing school staff with tools and guidance to help create a total school wellness environment to promote sustained behavior change.

As part of the FCS School Nutrition Program's community partnership with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, all 59 FCS Elementary schools have participated in the Children's Strong4Life (S4L) CHALLENGE program since SY 12-13!

The Strong4Life Challenge includes various school visits held over the course of one school year, during which time the Strong4Life Challenge team delivers wellness-related messages that are energetic, cool and kid-friendly. The Strong4Life Challenge Program gives us a unique opportunity to further impact children by generating excitement around wellness in the cafeteria and school-wide. Additionally, the S4L Challenge program ties in with the District Strategic Plan for Community Collaboration and the District Wellness Policy. Visit strong4life.com for more info!