U.S. Department of Agriculture Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Nancy Johner presented a Gold Certificate to Principal Stephanie Martin, Food Service Manager Paula Hale, and Family Resource Coordinator Susan Tabor from William H. Natcher Elementary School for meeting USDA’s HealthierUS School challenge at the highest level in a ceremony during the April 14 Warren County Board of Education meeting. The school is the first in Warren County to be recognized for this achievement.

USDA has issued a challenge to schools throughout the nation to make changes to their school nutrition environment, improve the quality of the foods served, and provide students with more nutritious, healthy choices. Natcher Elementary successfully met that challenge by taking specific steps to improve its programs, address obesity, and encourage other schools to follow its lead. The Gold Award, USDA’s highest, has been received in only 35 school districts nationwide.

Pictured, from left, are Warren County Public Schools Food Service and Nutrition Director Gina Howard; USDA's Johner; Warren County Board of Education Chairperson Theresa Lowe; Tabor; Tina Baumgarten of Natcher's Food Service department; Paul McElwain, director of the Kentucky Division of Nutrition and Health Services; Natcher Food Service Manager Paula Hale; Betty Natcher of the Natcher Food Service staff; and principal Martin.