San Ramon Mom Honored for Work to Improve Childhood Nutrition

From the Alliance to a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation named Gayla Moghannam of San Ramon a Healthy Schools Program Champion on Thursday.

Moghannam used to frequently have lunch with her daughter at and continually was not impressed with the food served for lunch.

She witnessed how the kids were unsatisfied with their meals and how many students complained about still being hungry in the afternoon. Moghannam realized that someone needed to speak up on behalf of these kids and she decided she would take on that responsibility.

With help from the Alliance and its Healthy Schools Program, Moghannam has become the mom that volunteers in class, leads her school wellness council and is a driving force for healthy changes across the district.

She has worked with 's nutrition director to add a salad bar, healthier entrees and a “hydration station” to encourage water consumption. Her school has adopted a new celebration policy and now it’s starting a running club and school garden.

“This has been a passion of mine for so many years but joining forces with the Alliance really helped me take my passion to the next level,” said Moghannam.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program supports the work of more than 14,000 schools across the country as they strive to make their campuses healthier places to learn and work.

Each year the Healthy Schools Program selects a handful of its most effective advocates to join the National Champions Network—motivating and leading students and staff toward healthier school environments and serving as national spokespeople for the Healthy Schools Program.

“Behind every healthy school is a dedicated leader who takes an indefatigable approach to getting students and staff eating better and moving more,” said Ginny Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “The Alliance is grateful for the commitment of our Healthy Schools Program Champions who are ensuring that our children are afforded healthier food and more physical activity throughout the school day.”

Launched in 2006 with 231 schools in 13 states, the Healthy Schools Program now supports more than 14,000 schools across the country to help transform them into healthier places where physical activity and healthier foods are available before, during and after school.

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