Creating Healthier Places

Mississippi State University

2018 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2015
Length of Commitment: 3 years
Select a Progress Report:

Committed to meet guidelines—developed by PHA in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading nutrition, physical activity and campus wellness experts—around nutrition, physical activity, and programming on campus.

Verified Results

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2018

    Commitment Element

    Offer on the menu a minimum of one (1) wellness meal at each breakfast, lunch and dinner meal (if served).

    Progress To Date

    Mississippi State University offers at least one wellness meal at breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Templeton RFoC, Fresh Food Company, and The Marketplace at Perry dining venues. Wellness meals are identified at the point of presentation by with "Every Day Healthy Wellness Meal" signage that lists wellness meal components and serving sizes along with nutrition and food component criteria.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2018

    Commitment Element

    Implement a comprehensive, strategic product placement/merchandizing program/policy within dining venues to encourage healthier food consumption which will include a minimum of five (5) strategies, one (1) of which is: Display only healthier food and beverage options within five (5) feet of all cash register stations (if anything at all).

    Progress To Date

    Mississippi State University implemented a comprehensive, product placement and merchandizing program with at least five strategies to encourage healthier food consumption within its three dining venues, Templeton RFoC, Fresh Food Company and The Marketplace at Perry. The five program strategies in place include removing food or beverages from within five feet of all cash registers; posting nutrition and calorie information at the point of presentation; offering water and fruit infused water dispensers in each dining venue; providing nutrition education via wall posters, table signs and digital signage and offering and promoting at least one food station in each venue that provides healthier options such as vegan and vegetarian options and fresh salad, deli and yogurt bars.

  • Implementation Date

    September 2018

    Reporting Date

    November 2018

    Commitment Element

    Offer a healthier catering menu that only includes foods and beverages that meet healthier food and nutrition guidelines.

    Progress To Date

    Mississippi State University offers a catering menu featuring a range of healthier options including fruits, vegetables and 100% whole grains. The menu includes no sugar-sweetened beverages or fried foods.

Partner Statement

“In collaboration with Partnership for a Healthier America, Mississippi State University’s (MSU) departments of Health Promotion and Wellness. Dining Services, and University Recreation worked together to create a healthier campus for students, faculty, staff, and community members through initiatives and environmental supports to promote complete, mental, physical, and social well-being.

"Health Promotion and Wellness hosted Healthy Dawgs, an employee wellness initiative, during both the spring and fall semesters. The program included accountability, healthy tips, recipes, exercise and nutrition information, and a weekly walking group. Through MSU on the Move, a Blue Cross Blue Shield grant-funded project, Health Promotion and Wellness and Dining Services collaborated to provide cooking demonstrations in residence halls across campus. Dining Services also created a MSU on the Move food station at one of the dining venues. This station offers healthier options including grilled protein sources and various vegetable sides.

"University Recreation was able to use MSU on the Move funds to build a new outdoor volleyball court and challenge course for students. University Recreation created new affordable membership packages for university staff members to encourage participation in physical activity. Lastly, the three departments collaborated on a new initiative called Fitness on the First. This initiative was geared toward faculty, staff and community members, and included outdoor fitness classes, a health fair, and healthy food samples.

"While these are only a sample of the programming and environmental support, MSU is committed to the well-being of the MSU community.”