If you’re traveling over the holidays, chances are you’re not looking forward to spending time in a crowded, stressful airport. Faced with the prospect of long waits, deafening public-address systems, and indigestion, you may quickly lose that festive feeling. Read More
From superfresh local produce to on-site dietitians, these 10 standout supermarket chains are leading the way to healthier food shopping. And surprise: Many are the traditional, affordable grocers close to your home! Read More
With just 71 stores in the mid-Atlantic, Wegmans wasn’t big enough to be judged, but our experts raved about its large selection of fresh organic produce and locally grown foods. Its healthy prepared foods got high marks, too: The store’s delicious gourmet section could “entice a family to start eating fish or broccoli rather than fast food,” says Lisa Pawloski, PhD, chair of the department of global and community health at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Such positive feedback is spurring the chain’s expansion—four new stores in Virginia and Pennsylvania will open in 2009. Read More
To come up with our winning chains, our expert panel (meet them below) reviewed the 35 largest food retailers across the country and selected the absolute healthiest, based on everything from the freshness of produce and taste of prepared foods to the healthiness of packaged goods and availability of supplemental nutritional information.
Who helped us choose the best? We turned to these top health experts and foodies: Read More
3. Anthony Elementary
Leavenworth, Kansas
300 students in grades K through 5
“Bravo!” cheers Pasternak, who gives his highest score to this urban elementary school. Anthony created its “Eat, Exercise, Excel” program to turn itself from a school struggling with low academic performance to one that achieved excellence rankings and a 95% reduction in office referrals—all in a year, largely by emphasizing fitness and nutrition. Read More
6. Miami Springs Middle
Miami Springs, Florida
1,818 students in grades 6 through 8
Healthy reform at this large, urban middle school started in the cafeteria, which eliminated all white-flour products, former principal Gail Quigley, EdD, says. “We don’t serve dessert or fried food, and we offer a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables.” Sugary cereals have been banned from breakfast. And all à la carte items meet the stringent criteria of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an organization devoted to ending childhood obesity. “Excellent, and at first difficult, choices are being made about the foods served by the school,” nutrition panelist Lanou says. Read More
Lakewood Elementary
Cecilia, Kentucky
631 students in grades pre-K through 5
It’s never too early to understand that each person is responsible for his or her own health. And Lakewood’s students get this message loud and clear in all facets of the school’s Nutrition, Fitness, and Health curriculum. Each student sets an individual fitness goal in PE and monitors his or her own progress. Read More
TIE 8. W.C. Britt Elementary
Snellville, Georgia
900 students in K through 5
Outstanding, culturally sensitive, creative health-curriculum solutions are among the hallmarks of this large elementary school, and they really got panelist Martin’s attention. (She gave W.C. Britt her only perfect 10.) This school keeps its students engaged with taste tests, farm visits, school gardening, community-health-related plays, annual visits from local dentists, and more. “I love the games, contests, and promotions. We know that when kids are motivated, they do their best work—and that learning goes beyond simply ‘preparing for the test.’ This program is instilling values that will remain with these students for a lifetime,” Martin says. Read More
TIE 2. Rawhide Elementary
Gillette, Wyoming
170 students in grades K through 6
Our panelists raved about this small, rural school’s commitment to health and the way the sprawling 5,000-square-mile district helps to make it happen. “This is a model of excellence that should be copied around the nation,” judge Martin says. “Collaborating with parents and community stakeholders is one of the most important aspects of promoting healthy living. This ensures that healthy lifestyles aren’t just talked about while in school but are actually practiced at home and in the community.” Read More
4. Richmond Elementary
Appleton, Wisconsin
277 students in grades K through 6
Instilling health and wellness values is definitely a team effort at this school. Everyone—PE and classroom teachers, counselors, administrators, food-service workers—demonstrates and reinforces healthy lifestyle choices for the students, earning Richmond Elementary top scores in every area from our judges. Read More
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