New superhero helps Guam students eat right Super nutritious treats such as fruits and vegetables help this hero leap tall cafeterias in a single bound. It's a fruit! It's a vegetable! No, it's Super Chef! Guam's State Agency for Child Nutrition Programs unveiled Super Chef at Ordot Chalan Pago Elementary School yesterday. The caped chef is encouraging children to eat healthy and to help their families shop and cook healthy. The chef gets stronger by eating healthy, but becomes weak when he sees kids eating junk food, said Jesse Rosario, state program officer for the Guam Department of Education child nutrition program. Junk food is Super Chef's "kryptonite." Officials hope the mascot will help fight health problems in Guam's schools, such as obesity. Super Chef is the alter ego of Robert Walter, the Food and Beverage director at the Navy's local Morale Welfare and Recreation office, Rosario said, The creation of the mascot, a collaboration between Walters and the nutrition program, was entirely a volunteer effort, said Rosario. Super Chef is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's first nutrition mascot, he said. Rosario said if things go well in Guam, Super Chef could go nationwide. The superhero will make appearances at schools and other community organizations to speak to children about the importance of eating healthy and having healthy habits. Healthier lunches The super hero comes just in time for a new school year, during which public school students will see healthier lunches. Guam is continuing to phase in parts of President Barack Obama's 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act law. The focus of the law is to get children to eat more nutritious meals, and to stop childhood obesity, Rosario said. Schools will abide by new rules that regulate portion control, calories, and the type of food served. For example, Guam cafeterias that are run by Sodexo, the food services contractor, are offering a mixture of half brown rice and half white rice as schools gear up for totally whole grain options next year. The few cafeterias run by Guam's Department of Education already have switched to fully whole grain options, Rosario said. Another change is that meals will have less meat and more fruits and vegetables, he said. What used to be three ounces of meat will now be two ounces. Last year schools replaced 2 percent milk with 1 percent milk, according to Pacific Daily News files. This doesn't mean menus can't be fun. The six public school cafeterias that are overseen by the local government are giving students a taste of the world. Each day of the week has its own theme: American Monday, Asian Tuesday, Mexican Wednesday, Italian Thursday and Chamorro Friday. Rosario said he often sees parent-packed meals that are rice and Spam or hot dogs. These meals don't provide the same nutritious value as a school lunch, he said.

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Students clamour for autographs as nutrition mascot Super Chef shows his approval for those eating healthy foods at the Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School cafeteria on Aug. 30. The superhero debuted at the school with Department of Education Superintendent Jon Fernandez, seated, at his side. Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community, according to a press release. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero for the outreach.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef shows that he becomes powerful when kids eat healthy food at OrdotChalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef shows that he becomes powerful when kids eat healthy food at OrdotNutrition mascot Super Chef shows how unhealthy foods make him weak at Ordot-Chalan Pago Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate educate the students. the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef introduces himself to students at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef chats with education officials upon arrival for his debut at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the new "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef and education officials walk to a classroom for his debut at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the new "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Students cheer for nutrition mascot Super Chef after his debut at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the new "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef shows that he becomes powerful when kids eat healthy food at OrdotChalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef signs autographs for students at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the new "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef shows that he becomes powerful when kids eat healthy food at OrdotChalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef signs autographs for students at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef impresses students at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef signs autographs for students at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef interacts with students in the Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School cafeteria on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and Nutrition mascot Super Chef talks to students about healthy foods at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef checks to make sure Department of Education Superintendent Jon Fernandez, seated, and students are eating healthy foods at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the new "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for the Naval Base Guam Morale, Welfare and Recreation Division, morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef signs autographs at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30

Nutrition mascot Super Chef interacts with students in the Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School cafeteria on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students

Nutrition mascot Super Chef, center, smiles for the cameras after his debut at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30.

Nutrition mascot Super Chef shows that he becomes powerful when kids eat healthy food at OrdotNutrition mascot Super Chef instroduces poses for photos at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30. The Department of Education Guam State Office for Child Aug. 30. Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health," as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community. Robert Walter, a food and beverage director for Naval Base Guam's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office morphed into the superhero to inspire and educate the students.

Students clamor for autographs as nutrition mascot Super Chef shows his approval for students eating healthy foods at the OrdotChalan Pago Elementary School cafeteria, yesterday. The superhero debuted at the school with Department of Education Superintendent Jon Fernandez, seated, at his side. The Guam State Office for Child Nutrition Programs introduced the "hero for health" as a new component in its campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in the schools and community, according to a press release. / Masako Watanabe/Pacific Daily News/mwatanabe@guamp Nutrition mascot Super Chef shows that he becomes powerful when kids eat healthy food at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School yesterday. / Masako Watanabe/Pacific Daily News/mwatanabe@guamp Nutrition mascot Super Chef poses for photos at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School on Aug. 30.

Marianas Variety Guam Edition – The Local and Regional Newspaper Featured Photo

'Super Chef' The Guam Department of Education yesterday introduced its new nutrition mascot, “Super Chef” (played by Robert Walters), at Chalan Pago Ordot Elementary School. Super Chef informed Margaret Asuncion's kindergarten class about eating healthy. Photo by Matt Weiss / Variety

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