CEO Wins National Nutrition Award for Serving Poi Smoothies in Class

Sept. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Benchmark Wellness CEO Deanna Moncrief, also a nutritionist, has been awarded the 2009 Public Health Nutrition Award by the Society for Nutrition Education for her work in developing a nutrition curriculum for elementary school students in Hawaii.

The program, called ‘AINA In Schools, is delivered to over 1,000 students every year.  ‘AINA means land in Hawaiian, and is also the program’s acronym for Actively Integrating Nutrition and Agriculture [In Schools] (http://www.kokuahawaiifoundation.org/aina).  The program has become popular because of its first lesson’s snack: the Poi Smoothie made with fresh poi.  After initial reluctance to try it, kids (and parents) come back for more.

Moncrief states, “This program is based on responsible nutrition information and proven teaching techniques for various age groups, though what makes it really outstanding is the love and care put into it by everyone who touches it.  Each lesson has been shaped by a variety of end-users, which, to me, is the only way to create an effective program.”

Ms. Moncrief’s award was announced at July’s Society for Nutrition Education’s Annual Meeting in New Orleans.  “It was a huge surprise and a big honor.”

Each of the program’s eight nutrition lessons includes a healthy snack, a class activity and parent information. “We feel it’s equally important to try to educate the parents as well as the kids since kids often don’t have much say in what gets purchased at the grocery store,” Deanna says. “We’ve been able to help kids connect the dots between caring for their environment, their bodies, and each other. As a bonus, parents are learning about nutrition from their kids.”

About Deanna Moncrief
Ms. Moncrief holds a Master of Science degree in nutrition & clinical dietetics from the Chicago Medical School. She is the CEO of Benchmark Wellness, a boutique corporate wellness company.  She spends her spare time writing nutrition curricula and is also working on her first book.

About Benchmark Wellness
Benchmark Wellness (http://www.benchmarkwellness.com) provides employers cost-effective, customized solutions for enhancing employee wellness. Benchmark provides services such customized wellness program design, on-site and regional training workshops, business health and wellness audit services, and just launched its 3-day intensive Wellness Director Certification Program.

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Benchmark Wellness provides employers cost-effective, customized solutions for enhancing employee wellness. Benchmark provides services such customized wellness program design, on-site and regional training workshops, business health and wellness audit services, and just launched its 3-day intensive Wellness Director Certification Program.