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BLOOMFIELD, IOWA -- It was a day of celebration at Davis County Elementary School.Students, teachers and community members gathered for an assembly to recognize The Gold Award received through the USDA Healthier School Program.

The award is given to schools which voluntarily choose to create a healthier school environment by adhering to strict requirements for meals, nutrition education and physical activity.

D.C. Director of Support Services Dan Roberts took the podium to recognize those in the district that had gone the extra mile to help the school capture the award along the $1,500 prize that went with it.

Roberts singled out the school kitchen staff as being particularly crucial in winning the award.

After the party, Roberts told KTVO it was really a community accomplishment.

“It’s awesome, the teachers the whole community came together in support of it, it was incredible, just incredible,” Roberts said.

Today was a celebration with the band playing, flags flying and the USDA mascot Power Panther dancing, but the hard work isn't over yet.

Roberts says the school remains committed to the regime of nutrition, and physical activity for at least three more years.