Portland Public Schools -- News - Attack on junk food earns PPS employee national award

Attack on junk food earns PPS director national award
Kristy Obbink.jpg

PPS Nutrition Services Director Kristy Obbink is one of five leaders in the country to earn top honors from the National School Nutrition Association, recognizing her team’s progressive policies and changes that have improved food served to Portland students. Award organizers say that Obbink’s elimination of snack foods in schools, her influential support for state-legislated school nutrition standards and Farm to School funding, and her careful budget management made her an outstanding candidate for the Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence Award, which she will receive Jan. 13.

“Kristy and her team have done a wonderful job,” says PPS board member Ruth Adkins. “Good food does cost more, and Kristy faces huge challenges in making ends meet in her budget. I hope that more of our students will give the cafeteria a try.”

Obbink has led a number of food policy changes at PPS. Breakfast and supper are now free to all students in high-poverty schools, and cafeteria meals emphasize fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A la carte foods, such as bags of chips, cookies, and Pizza Hut pizza, have been banned, along with sales of soft drinks and other sugary drinks; vending machines are subject to strict nutritional standards.

Obbink also has supported school-based programs in which students grow and harvest foods that can be used in the preparation of school meals. And twice a month, the Harvest of the Month program introduces students to a local farmer whose food is featured on school menus.

For more information about the award, visit www.fameawards.net/index.php.

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