Academy Meal Program Mini-Documentary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Academy for GOD Celebrates a Decade of Success with its Innovative Farm-to-Table School Meal Program

Old Hickory, TN — In 2015, The Academy for GOD commenced its farm to school meal program to address the way students experience school meals. Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of our Farm-to-Table School Meal Program, we reflect on a decade of growth, sustainability, and nourishing the minds and bodies of our K-12 students.

This milestone is marked by the release of a 21 minute mini-documentary that captures the essence of our Farm-to-Table initiative and the positive impact it has had on our school community. The documentary gives a view into our school garden and other local farms where some of our produce and meat is sourced to the bustling school cafeteria where our dedicated staff transforms fresh, locally sourced ingredients into delicious and nutritious meals.

Key highlights of the mini-documentary include:

• Origins of the Program: Explore the vision and mission that led to the inception of the Farm-to-Table School Meal Program in 2015. Hear from the key stakeholders who championed this innovative approach to school nutrition.

• Local Partnerships: Learn about the strong partnerships forged with local farmers and producers. Witness the collaborative efforts that ensure our students have access to high-quality, seasonal ingredients while supporting the local economy.

• Educational Impact: Discover how the program extends beyond the cafeteria, becoming an integral part of the educational experience. Students are engaged in hands-on learning experiences, from planting seeds to understanding the nutritional value of the foods they consume.

• Health and Wellness: Hear testimonials from educators, parents, and nutrition experts about the positive impact of the Farm-to-Table initiative on student health and overall well-being.

• Community Engagement: Explore the ways in which the program has brought the community together. From farm visits to community events, witness the sense of pride and unity that has blossomed around our commitment to sustainable, locally sourced meals.

This mini-documentary not only commemorates our journey but also serves as an inspiration for other school districts looking to implement sustainable and healthy meal programs.

For press inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact:

Ms. Breann Chigumira

Academy School Nutritionist & Meal Program Coordinator

Breann.Chigumira@academyforgod.org

The Academy for GOD

401 Center St. Old Hickory, TN 37138

615-722-7107

info@academyforgod.org

www.academyforgod.org

5 Ways School Meals Can Address Picky Eating

Many school age children elementary ages through high school have difficulties with being ‘picky’ eaters. How do we overcome these hurdles to picky eating? School can be a great place for students to try new foods and it is a unique setting to do so. 

1. Menu Diversity

Most schools, including the Academy, has a rotating menu in which students are exposed to about 10 different menu options throughout the entire semester. Each item exposes students to a new flavor profile and set of ingredients along with many different fruit and vegetables. We are required to meet minimums in regards to types of vegetables. We are not permitted to just serve 1 or 2 types of vegetables all week but instead have to ensure everything from dark greens to legumes are represented each week. This ensures students are exposed to a variety of nutrients and types of foods, which over time allows them to expand their palate. 

2. Positive Peer Pressure

When students see other students positively receiving items and they are more likely to try out those foods. At times picky eating can become a battle of the wills between parent and the child. Students sometimes just need a change in setting! When they are in the cafeteria surrounded by other students eating school lunch they let their guard down and will even eat new foods because they see other students doing so. 

3. Try it and Try it Again

In the long term eating school meals will allow the student greater growth in terms of what they are willing to eat. Though they may start out not eating much or only trying a few items over time students begin to adapt and grow. The change will take time, but even a bite of a new item is a huge win for students who are struggling. It takes at least 15-20 times of trying a new item for children to adapt or start liking a new food, the repetition will take time but will pay off in the long term. The school menu allows for some repetition but enough diversity that the student doesn’t feel they are eating the same thing everyday. 

4. Resolves Decision Fatigue

Packing lunches can be a challenge, school lunches take away the fatigue that comes in trying to meal plan and ensure your student is being pushed to try new things. School meals can benefit picky eaters ensuring that your student doesn’t get in a rut of only asking for or eating certain items. Though packed lunches can have some diversity over time it can be difficult to keep up with what your student should be eating or fight them when it comes to what they want you as the parent to pack.

5. Empowers Your Student

The lunch line can become a time for your student feel empowered to make some decisions on their own. Meal times are often a time when students have small choices to make, which vegetables they want, which sauces to choose, etc. These moments allow the student feel empowered to make decisions and yet still receive a healthy meal. 


School meals can truly support you, as the parent, in your journey to teaching your child to eat nutritious food. Though it is not always an easy route over time, students can and will adapt, learn and grow which is exactly what they are at school to do, whether in the classroom or at meal time.

The Academy for GOD Receives 2023 Best of Old Hickory Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Academy for GOD Receives 2023 Best of Old Hickory Award

Old Hickory Award Program Honors the Achievement

OLD HICKORY, September 8, 2023 -- The Academy for GOD has been selected for the 2023 Best of Old Hickory Award in the Elementary school category by the Old Hickory Award Program.

Each year, the Old Hickory Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Old Hickory area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2023 Old Hickory Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Old Hickory Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Old Hickory Award Program

The Old Hickory Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Old Hickory area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Old Hickory Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Old Hickory Award Program

CONTACT:
Old Hickory Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@cities-distinction.com
URL: http://www.cities-distinction.com

Nourishing Our Future: The Local Foods to Schools Grant

The Academy’s nutrition program has embarked on an exciting journey this year. Thanks to the "Local Foods to Schools" grant, we have the opportunity to purchase fresh produce and meat directly from small local farms. This initiative not only supports local farmers but also promises to provide our students with nutritious, high-quality meals while reducing the environmental footprint of our food supply. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of the grant and our partnership with Pure Pastures, a family-owned farm in Barren Plains, Tennessee.


Nutrient-Rich Harvest

One of the key advantages of sourcing food locally is that it allows us to deliver nutrient-dense meals to our students. As a general rule, the longer the journey from harvest to table, the more nutrients a food item loses. By purchasing fruits and vegetables from nearby farms, we can ensure that our students enjoy the maximum nutritional benefits.

Local produce is often fresher and more vibrant, brimming with essential vitamins and minerals. It's a known fact that fruits and vegetables begin to lose their nutritional value the moment they're harvested. The shorter the distance they travel, the less time there is for nutrient depletion. This means that our students get to enjoy the full spectrum of goodness these foods have to offer.

A Farm to Table meal plan is a strategy the Academy has adopted since the beginning of our meal program. Ensuring students have opportunity to eat meats and vegetables from local food sources is priority for our meal program team. These chickens belong to Pure Pastures!

Organic and Sustainable

In addition to enhanced nutrition, the "Local Foods to Schools" grant empowers us to buy organic produce, a win for both our students' health and the environment. Organic farming practices prioritize soil health and sustainability, avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that can harm the ecosystem. Choosing organic options from local farmers allows us to support sustainable agriculture practices that benefit our planet.

When it comes to meat, sourcing locally offers transparency and traceability. We have the opportunity to understand how animals are raised, what they are fed, and ensure that we are serving high-quality, nutrient-dense meats to our students. This not only contributes to healthier meals but also aligns with our commitment to ethical and sustainable food sourcing.

Supporting Local Communities

One of the most significant aspects of this grant is the ability to develop strong relationships with local farmers. Our partnership with Pure Pastures is just the beginning of a journey that will not only benefit our school but also the surrounding communities. By supporting small, family-owned farms like Pure Pastures, we contribute to the growth and prosperity of local economies. This grant is a catalyst for building a network of trust and collaboration between schools and local producers, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility.

Lunch is a highlight of the day for Academy students. Not only do students receive nutritious meals, they are encouraged to engage in meaningful conversation with their peers. Fellowship over a meal is a value we hope students carry away from their school day and into their homes with their families.

The "Local Foods to Schools" grant is an exciting opportunity for our school nutrition program to make a meaningful impact on our students' health, the environment, and local communities. By prioritizing nutrient-rich, locally sourced foods, we aim to provide our students with top-quality nutrition while supporting sustainable and responsible farming practices.

As we continue to explore our partnership with Pure Pastures and other local farms, we look forward to the growth of this initiative. It's a chance to bring the bounty of our home state right to our students' plates, ensuring they not only receive the best nutrition possible but also develop a deep appreciation for the local food ecosystem. In the years to come, we hope to see more schools embracing similar initiatives, nurturing healthier generations, supporting local economies, and making a positive impact on the environment. The "Local Foods to Schools" grant is more than just a grant; it's a step towards a brighter and more sustainable future for our students and our world.

Embracing Holistic Development: Unlocking the Potential of Student-Athletes

This year we celebrated the Academy’s 10th anniversary. Like many schools, our athletic program has played an important role in the lives of our students and seen some significant successes! Since our establishment in 2013, our school athletic program has produced championship teams, celebrated all-conference players and league MVPs, and garnered admiration from players, families, and fans alike. However, what truly sets us apart is our holistic approach to player development. “We are not solely trying to build athletes,” says head soccer coach, Jason Roufs. “We’re trying to build well-rounded individuals who enjoy sports, who aren’t afraid to engage in sports as adults, and who have the understanding, strength and coordination.” Our philosophy revolves around the belief that by encouraging student-athletes to participate in multiple sports until the age of 16, we foster comprehensive growth, strength-building, intellectual maturation, and the development of invaluable life skills.

Coach Roufs (far right) celebrates an incredible 2023 soccer season with his high school team after they finished as runner-up in the division tournament.

A key biblical passage for Coach Roufs comes from Ephesians 4:1-13. This text highlights the many various roles that are required for a well-functioning team. “Sports culture celebrates just a few positions. Look at the stats that are kept: most points scored, most assists, or most saves. But what gets overlooked is how every single player plays an integral part. The life skill to be learned is that the goal is not for everyone to become the highest scorer: the goal is to figure out your giftings and the role that you play best, and contribute that to the success of the team.” 

Phoenix athletes participate in cross-country, volleyball, basketball, and soccer. At the heart of all these sports are two key values: 1) giving one’s whole heart and energy to the learning process, and 2) embracing mistakes as integral to growth. We acknowledge the reality that sports are temporary. Even if a student wants to go pro, it will be a temporary season in their life. But what the students will always take with them is the attitude of approaching every practice time, every game, with focus and whole-heartedness. Mistakes are normal. Necessary, in fact. What is to be celebrated is the humility and resilience to push through mistakes and come out stronger on the other side. 

A great example of that this year was freshman Camden Cole, who nervously tried out for the Phoenix soccer team. Unsure as to whether or not he had the skills and experience to be on the team, coaches encouraged him to to try out, and he made the team. “At the beginning of the season I placed him all over the field, to figure out his skill set. He started out as an outside mid, then forward, then outside back,” Coach Roufs shared. “By the end of the year he was our starting goal-keeper, filling a crucial need on the team.” Camden’s coaches and teammates alike were impressed with his unwavering commitment and willingness to step into a very difficult position. “That’s the kind of person we need in our athletic program. People who are willing to give their all for the team, and trust their coaches to place them in whatever position best serves the team.”

Coach Olson instructs his high school volleyball team during a regular season match. Learning to trust the authority and direction of a coach is emphasized in our sports program.

Junior Moriah Olson says that sports have offered her valuable life lessons on leadership: “One of the key values I have learned through Phoenix sports is that leaders are servants. I have been playing volleyball longer than my other teammates and so naturally I have been put into a leadership position over the past 3 years. As a result, I have had to learn that being a leader is more than just instructing and correcting others, but it is about making sure your team is doing well as a whole (spiritually, interpersonally, interpersonally, academically, etc.). It’s about sacrificing your time and energy for the betterment of the team.”

Jr High basketball player, Nanozi Nyago, takes a free throw during a semifinal tournament game. Nanozi is learning to take lessons from her bible classes and apply them to her team dynamic and skill development as a basketball player.

Phoenix athletes also learn how scripture applies to every aspect of their lives, both on and off the court. 7th grader Nanozi Nyago says this has been the most valuable lesson she’s learned in her athletic experience with the Academy: “A valuable lesson I have learned playing with our athletics program that I have carried into other areas of my life is biblical application. Our coaches have taught me and my teammates how to apply scripture to any situation, good or bad. I’ve been able to apply this value to academic, social, spiritual, and emotional situations.” 

Moriah Olson further emphasized this point.  “A verse that Coach Olson often brings up on the court is ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬. In volleyball, it is important that we have what’s called “a short memory”, where we learn and then move on from the mistake we made. It is a fast paced game and each rally ends in a mistake (made by your team or the opposing team). This verse is a great metaphor for the game of volleyball but it’s great for life too and I have learned to apply that “short memory” in school, at home, and with my friends. Mistakes are going to be made, it’s a part of being human, but when we can learn from them and then move on, it is going to do a lot more good than holding on or feeling shame for the mistake made.

Off-season training has begun for the 2023-2024 year for Phoenix athletes! Students are preparing to take the court and field again, representing their school and the Lord. We hope to see you there cheering them on!