Meet the Challenge

Over the past five years, the Academy Foundation’s “Meet the Challenge!” project in Iowa has connected nearly 100 schools with registered dietitian nutritionists for assistance with school wellness environment changes and USDA HealthierUS School Challenge applications.

This year, the program is reaching out to an additional 30 Iowa school districts to provide “RDN Wellness Coaches” to re-vamp wellness policies.

Ten schools will be selected to receive additional RDN assistance to lead school wellness environment changes and apply for HUSSC awards. To date, “Meet the Challenge” RDNs are responsible for 66 schools receiving HUSSC awards!

These efforts are part of the Meet the Challenge! program in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Education and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation and funded through the Iowa Department of Education’s USDA Team Nutrition grant.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members serving as RDN Wellness Coaches during the 2016-2017 school year. Pictured from left to right: Kathryn Thompson, RDN, LD; Anne Blocker, MS, RDN, LD, CDE; Anne Cundiff, RD, LD; Diane Duncan-Goldsmith, MS, RD, LD; Staci Hemesath, RD, LD. Not pictured: Sara O’Tool, RD, LD, Dee Sandquist, MS, RD, LD, CDE, FAND, Diane Thovson, RD, LD, and Tonya Huenink, RDN, LD.Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members serving as RDN Wellness Coaches during the 2016-2017 school year. Pictured from left to right: Kathryn Thompson, RDN, LD; Anne Blocker, MS, RDN, LD, CDE; Anne Cundiff, RD, LD; Diane Duncan-Goldsmith, MS, RD, LD; Staci Hemesath, RD, LD. Not pictured: Sara O’Tool, RD, LD, Dee Sandquist, MS, RD, LD, CDE, FAND, Diane Thovson, RD, LD, and Tonya Huenink, RDN, LD.