Wellness Policy

Approved By: Jennifer Sharma, CEO
Approval Date: 01/17/2022
Last Review Date: 11/01/2025

Purpose
To promote the development of good eating habits and increased physical activity in the lives of the young people and families that we serve.

Program Policy
Huckleberry House, Inc. and its Board of Trustees acknowledge that good nutrition and regular physical activity play an intricate role in the overall health and well-being of the youth and families served. Huckleberry House, Inc. participates in the National School Lunch Program and is committed to providing nutritious meals and snacks on a daily basis. Huckleberry House, Inc. strives to promote the development of good eating habits and increased physical activity. Huckleberry House, Inc. and its board recognize that this initiative cannot happen alone and encourages parents and the community to become actively involved.

Procedure
Huckleberry House, Inc. and its Board have set the following goals in an effort to enable youth and families to establish good health and nutrition:

A. Nutrition education and nutrition guidelines

1. All food available on site will comply with standards approved by National School Lunch Program.
2. Nutrition education will be included in group curriculum.
3. A registered dietitian will be available to review and approve menus and meals for young people with special diets.

B. Physical Activity

1. Physical activities, i.e. walks, parks and recreation, sports, will be provided daily.
2. Arrange age appropriate physical education groups will be conducted for youth to have opportunities to learn and practice skills.

C. Other school/organization based activities

1. Huckleberry House, Inc. provides a clean, safe enjoyable meal environment for youth served.
2. Huckleberry House, Inc. protects the identity of youth eligible of receiving free/reduced meals because all meals are free to the youth served.
3. Huckleberry House, Inc. provides information and outreach materials about other programs such as Woman, Infant, and Children to youth and families served.

D. Objectives of enhancing student health and well–being and reducing childhood
obesity, the following guidelines are established:

1. The food service program shall comply with Federal and State regulations pertaining to the selection, preparation, consumption, and disposal of food and beverages.
2. The guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than the guideline issued by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
3. Huckleberry House, Inc. will provide all youth free and nutritious food they need to be healthy.

Huckleberry House, Inc. will report on the agency’s compliance with this policy and its progress toward achieving goals on an annual basis. Huckleberry House, Inc. will report directly to the Board. The policy will be enforced by the program team leader, with input from direct service staff.

*The wellness policy has been assessed and updated as of 12.5.2025