WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Eliza Jane Adams, health education teacher for the Windham Raymond School District and National School Ambassador for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, traveled to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 23 and 24 to take part in a national gathering in support of efforts to improve school nutrition.

She was joined by Samantha Cowens, chef and nutrition coordinator, and Jeanne Reilly, director of school nutrition, also from Windham. Cowens, Reilly, Adams and two other school nutrition advocates from Maine met with Rep. Poliquin and Sen. Collins, as well as with the offices of Sen. King and Rep. Pingree to share examples of how the district is at the forefront of a national school health movement by serving and selling healthier meals, snacks and drinks to students.

Adams works to ensure that all students learn not only that healthy food tastes good, but also that young bodies need the proper fuel to reach their full potential. The food served in the cafeteria has met federal standards for five years, while maintaining its tasty, kid-friendly appeal. Meal participation in Windham’s school lunch program increased 20 percent, and specifically, participation in the district’s middle and high schools increased 30 percent. The district is a member of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, and has made these changes with the support of the program.

Healthier nutrition standards for school meals went into effect in the fall of 2012. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that 87 percent of schools in Maine are meeting the updated standards. The healthy changes being made in the district make it a model of success in Maine and puts the district in good company nationwide — more than ninety percent of schools are meeting the updated standards.

To accompany the healthy changes to school meals, updated nutrition standards for school snacks and drinks went into effect at the beginning of the 2014-15 school year. More than 70 percent of parents nationally support healthier standards for school meals and snacks.