CATCH Champion
HUMBLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
March 22, 2007

HUMBLE, TX – Today, the Humble ISD Child Nutrition Department and Lakeland Elementary School invited media, district administrators, students and local dignitaries to attend a ceremony announcing that Hidden Valley® Ranch Dressing has awarded to them a $15,000 Love Your Veggies™ School Lunch Grant. The grant includes the $15,000 cash award and a child-height salad bar cart. The Child Nutrition Department, in partnership with Lakeland Elementary School, was selected as one of only five recipients in the nation and the only winner in Texas.

Letters written by Lakeland students expressing their desire for a salad bar were key in the selection process. From hundreds of applications, the Humble proposal was selected for its outstanding team approach. Sharon Lee, principal of Lakeland Elementary School, Cathrina Riggins, CATCH coordinator, Robin Young, Child Nutrition Director and Shirley Parker, Humble ISD Dietitian developed a plan that includes teachers, CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) curriculum and the school cafeteria.

Weekly, teachers will assist in offering a different fresh vegetable sample to every child at the school. Each child will get a chance to sample a bite size portion of the fresh vegetable with a dip of fat free or low fat Hidden Valley® Ranch Dressing. Curriculum provided by Hidden Valley will be utilized by teachers. Every Tuesday, children will be able to build their own chef salad by selecting from assorted vegetables at the new vegetable station. The vegetable station is designed and decorated to peak student interest.

The grand opening of Captain Healthy Star’s Vegetable Garden will occur on Tuesday, March 27. The program will run until the end of May and throughout the 2007- 08 school year. The overall program goal is to provide students with exposure to a variety of fresh vegetables choices and promote healthy eating habits for a lifetime.