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From:	Lucy Enniss (207.188.225.38)
Subject:	Nominations Sought For Golden Carrot School Lunch Awards
Date:	February 13, 2009 at 7:29 am PST

News Release*Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine*Feb. 13, 2009
Contact: Lucy Enniss, 202-686-2210, ext. 342, lenniss@pcrm.org

PCRM Calls for Nominations for Golden Carrot Awards to Recognize Healthy School Lunch Programs

Grand Prize of $5,000 Recognizes Outstanding Food Service Professionals and Highlights Role of Vegetarian Foods and Healthy School Lunches in Fight Against Childhood Obesity

WASHINGTON--The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is seeking nominations for its fifth annual Golden Carrot Awards for outstanding school food service professionals. Awards include a grand prize of $5,000, with $1,500 going to the food service professional and $3,500 given to the school food service program. Up to four additional $1,000 prizes, with $500 going to the food service professional and $500 to the school food service program, will be awarded.

"In these tough economic times, many schools are struggling to provide students with a healthful variety of foods," says PCRM nutritionist Kathryn Strong, M.S., R.D. "The Golden Carrot Awards recognize food service workers who overcome those challenges to serve delicious and healthful vegetarian and vegan foods."

The Golden Carrot Awards honor food service professionals in both public and private schools. Schools are evaluated on how well they provide students with a daily variety of vegan and vegetarian entrées, à la carte items, and vending machine items. Offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables, nondairy beverages, low-fat and cholesterol-free foods along with the availability, use and effectiveness of nutrition education and other innovative programs will also be reviewed.

Parents, teachers, principals, fellow food service workers, and community members are encouraged to nominate professionals who make a difference in their schools. The deadline for nominations is April 8. An entry form and a more detailed explanation of the award criteria are available at www.HealthySchoolLunches.org.

Winners from the previous round of Golden Carrot Awards included schools in Chicago; Berkeley, Calif.; Bellevue, Wash.; Wayne, Pa. and Cambridge, Mass.
This year's award winners will be announced to the media and featured in PCRM materials, including in PCRM's quarterly magazine, Good Medicine, and on PCRM's Web site.

For more information or an interview with Ms. Strong, please contact Lucy Enniss at 202-686-2210, ext. 342, or lenniss@pcrm.org.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.

• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine