Kansans Can Child Nutrition & Wellness Program 2023-24 Best Practice awardees announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 16, 2024

Media inquiries: Denise Kahler, KSDE director of Communications and Recognition Programs, [email protected], (785) 296-4876

Kansans Can Child Nutrition & Wellness Program 2023-24 Best Practice awardees announced

Awards recognize outstanding practices that support the Kansans Can vision

The recipients of the Kansas State Department of Education Child Nutrition & Wellness program's 2023-24 Best Practice awards were announced this week during the Kansas State Board of Education's August meeting in Topeka.

"The academic achievement and physical well-being of our children in Kansas today will impact the success of our communities, our state and the nation in the future," said Kelly Chanay, KSDE director of child nutrition and wellness. "Our Kansans Can award winners this year exemplify our collective efforts to provide adequate nutrition and physical activity as the pre-requisite for optimal learning."

The 2023-24 awardees are the following:

• Wheatland USD 292 - Kansans Can Serve Local Foods
• Fort Leavenworth USD 207 - Kansans Can Provide Outstanding Customer Service
• Patterson Family Child Care Center, Topeka - Kansans Can Increase Access to Quality Child Care & Child Nutrition Programs
• Envision Child Development Center, Wichita - Kansans Can Impact Wellness & Kansans Can Serve Local Foods, Wichita

About the awards:

Kansans CAN Serve Local Foods - This category highlights partnership efforts between sponsors and local producers, including cooperation with local farmers utilizing locally grown produce for child nutrition programs and learning opportunities that expose participants to food produced in their geographical area. Providing nutrition education, field trips, taste testing, and having a garden also are included in this category. In addition, efforts to increase students' knowledge of healthy food and the farming industry could be included.

Kansans CAN Provide Outstanding Customer Service - This category includes the implementation of any event, program or service that improves participation, quality or delivery of program services and creates greater relationships with participants, parents and the community.

Kansans Can Increase Access to Quality Child Care & Child Nutrition Programs - This category is for an entity providing quality, affordable childcare and increasing access to nourishing meals and snacks through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Kansans Can Impact Wellness - This category recognizes sponsors that take a leadership role in educating about healthy eating and active lifestyle choices.

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