Schools & Child Care

Children spend a lot of time at school, making the school environment a great place to model healthy eating and regular physical activity, which can last throughout their lifespan. 

“Countless studies and reports have shown that when students are healthy, they learn better and miss fewer school days due to illness. Physical activity has also shown to decrease disruptive behavior in the classroom.” – Brenda Cassellius, Former MN Commissioner of Education & Ed Ehlinger, Former MN Commissioner of Health

In Anoka County, SHIP focuses on schools with high free/reduced meal eligibility to promote health equity.

Schools Icon

School Partners

Twenty-three individual schools from across the county, including the school districts of 

  • Fridley
  • Columbia Heights
  • Anoka Hennepin
  • Spring Lake Park
  • Forest Lake
  • Paladin Career and Technical High School

HEALTHY EATING

Goal: increase fruit and vegetables, decrease sodium, decrease saturated fat, and decrease added sugars in foods and beverages available and sold

  • Farm to School
  • School-Based Agriculture
  • Healthy Snacks During School Day
  • Healthy Snacks Outside School Day
  • Smarter Lunchrooms

Click here to find out more about specific youth nutrition programs in each area school district.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (ACTIVE SCHOOLS)

Goal: increase physical activity opportunities both during and outside the school day to assist students to meet the national guidelines of 60 minutes or more each day

  • Quality Physical Education
  • Active Classrooms
  • Active Recess / Drop-In Time
  • Before and After School Activities
  • Safe Routes to School

Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care

Anoka County SHIP is supporting local child care providers with becoming designated Breastfeeding Friendly by the Minnesota Department of Health. We can provide technical assistance with the application, as well as funding support for the purchase of materials needed to meet the designation requirements. If you are a child care provider interested in the Breastfeeding Friendly designation, please contact us at SHIP@co.anoka.mn.us with the subject line "Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care".

Fact Sheets and Success Stories

We are happy to share impact data from the evaluation of our schools strategy, including fact sheets and highlighting the success stories of our partners.

Anoka-Hennepin Intramural Program

Forest Lake Area Schools Move Mindfully

Fridley Preschool Healthy Snacks Success Story

Jodi's Itty Bittys Child Care Success Story

POUND Fitness and Farm to School