The Healthier US School Challenger (HUSSC) is a voluntary certification initiative established in 2004 to recognize those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. The program provides certain food standards (less sugars and fatty foods, more healthy whole wheat grains, etc.) and schools who meet these levels can receive awards.

The Pierce Middle School received the Bronze-Level Award, presented by the US Department of Agriculture, and will receive $500 – to be placed into the nonprofit food service account and used for allowable expenses under that account to continue efforts to provide nutritious food for the kids.