As you read last week, September is Whole Grains Month, which just so happens to coincide with the beginning of the school year! Nothing makes us happier than seeing schools and students making an effort and huge impact on the whole grain scene. We are encouraged every day by the commitment students and schools alike have to promoting whole grain eating. So, to celebrate back to school (and of course Whole Grains Month!), we want to share some wonderful stories of students and schools making a difference. 

A few months ago, I wrote about four inspiring students in Seattle who began a campaign to get their peers to eat more whole grains in school, at home, and at local restaurants. The students, inspired by Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign, began their research in middle school and have most recently taken their whole grain project to the national stage at the Students Taking Actions with Recognition conference this summer in Nashville. The students were inspired by the alarming spike in childhood obesity to make a difference in young people’s eating habits, and saw incorporating whole grains as an optimal starting point to healthier lifestyles. As Megan Duong, one of the whole grain crusaders, said, “We learned that starting to eat whole grain wheat bread can really be a gateway into other healthy habits.” These enthusiastic students plan to continue their crusade for whole grains by encouraging local restaurants to switch to whole grains. It has been a pleasure watching their progress and we predict they will do great things in the world of whole grains and healthy eating!

Across the country from Seattle, another student, Madeline Leadem (pictured) from Ashley Hall High School in Charleston, SC, also contacted us about the independent study project she has designed for her senior year project. Madeline told us, “Throughout the upcoming school year, I plan to host a whole grain sampling day at my school, in addition to hosting several presentations on the health benefits of grains, and hopefully self-publish a cookbook full of whole grain recipes. Two weeks ago, I had a booth at a local farmers market where I sold baked goods that were made with all whole grains. I am very passionate about whole grains, and advocating their health benefits and I hope to share this with my community.” Madeline has also started a blog called The Holy Grail of Whole Grains (where we found her photo). We’re so jazzed that high school students are helping us spread the word about whole grains to their friends and families.

Speaking of encouraging students to eat whole grains and embrace health lifestyles, our inboxes have been filling up with requests for Whole Grains Council promotional material from schools across the country. One of the most impressive orders comes from Curtistine Walker, the Director of Food Service for Pittsburgh schools. Walker ordered 55 posters and 300 buttons (!) for her schools’ National Whole Grains Month promotion. Pittsburgh schools will feature whole grain foods on their menu every day in September (whole grain breakfast burritos, whole grain pizza calzones, oatmeal breakfast buns, to name a few yummy menu selections!) and the posters will be posted in cafeterias throughout the district. School employees will also wear our “Just Ask for Whole Grains” buttons to encourage the students to make whole grain choices. 

As we enter into Whole Grains Month, we look forward to discovering how schools across the country celebrate. How will you be celebrating Whole Grains Month? Send me an email at Mallory@oldwayspt.org; we love it when you share your stories with us! (Mallory)