Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal 
Miami East High School went “healthy” during the week of November 14 with activities sponsored by the Miami East FFA Chapter. This project was made possible due to a $500 grant by the Ohio Small Grains Marketing Group.
The Healthy Lifestyle Committee sponsored a Food For Thought Log in which students and staff would record all the food and drink that they partake of during a day. During study halls, students received a healthy snack for keeping their log updated. Snacks included an apple, orange or banana, a low-fat whole grain snack bar, or water and a non-fat yogurt. About half of the high school participated in this activity. A special thank you goes to the Dannon Company for their donation of yogurt.
Additionally, the high school attended a Healthy Lifestyles Fair during lunch. Displays were provided by the Upper Valley Medical Center Sports Medicine, Miami Valley Hospital, Stone’s Throw Cooperative, Miami East Schools Nurse Jeanelle Adkins, and the Farm to Consumer Foundation. One of the stations included having students and staff learned about the sugar and fat content of many of their favorite foods and drinks.
A Canned Food Drive for students and staff was coordinated by the FFA and Pride In M.E. For every five items donated, the students’ name was entered into a drawing to pie Principal Tim Williams in-the-eye at an all-school assembly. All cans donated will be given to the Fletcher Food Bank a the Fletcher United Methodist Church. About 1,000 cans were collected.
Finally, in celebration of the Miami East FFA’s 53rd Birthday all chapter members were invited to participate in a chapter carry-in. The challenge for the carry-in was that all items needed to be healthy with whole grains, low-fat or non-fat, lean meats and water.
The mission of the week was to bring awareness of the choices our students make in the selection of the foods and drinks that they choose. In the future the FFA would encourage all students and staff to make healthier choices. All unused grant funds will be donated to the Fletcher Food Bank.
