Conn districts join federal school nutrition plan

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Several Connecticut school food service directors and college students studying nutrition are gathering in West Hartford to learn more about a federal push for healthier school lunch options.

A nutritionist from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will meet Wednesday with the 15 school food service directors and several students from Saint Joseph College, which is hosting the gathering.

It's part of those districts' participation in the federal HealthierUS School Challenge , which recognizes schools that provide nutritious food and beverage choices, opportunities for physical activity and other efforts to fight childhood obesity.

More than 2,100 schools nationwide have earned special certification so far by participating in the challenge in recent years.

They include 41 schools spread across eight Connecticut districts: Ridgefield, New London, Norwalk, Stamford, Stonington, Weston, Wilton and West Hartford.