By

Lori Danella,   Meadow Lane Elementary School

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Highlight Healthy Foods — Go Nutritious

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Success with Funds

This building is an older building and the kitchen and serving area is very dated. The serving area was painted white and there was equipment stored in that area that belonged to the Before and After School Program. We made a plan to improve our Grab & Go signage and also to update and improve on our serving area. We developed a plan to work with our HS art students to create a mural in our serving area to promote healthy eating. We came up with a farm/garden theme to promote dairy, grains and fruits and veggies. We wanted to educate the students on where their food is coming from and they can actually see pictures of a tomato or cucumber on the wall and see a cow and know that is where their milk comes from. We also removed equipment and items that were not needed in that area. It looks more professional and inviting now. The students were so excited when they saw the completed project on the first day of school.

How did students and adults work together as a team?

We worked together as a team including Meadow Lane building staff, Lee's Summit High's art teacher, LSHS art students and MLE students. The plan was formed using everyone's input and then we worked together to see the project through to the end.

What improvements have you seen at your school?

Students and staff seem so much happier when coming through the lunch lines. They always strike up conversations regarding the pictures and items in the mural.