In addition to reaching over 1.4 million users, USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion now has something else to be proud of regarding its state-of-the-art SuperTracker. On October 24, 2012, the SuperTracker Team received the 2012 Government Computer News (GCN) Award for Outstanding IT Achievement in Government, along with nine other awardees from local, state, and Federal governments. The awards were presented to these government teams for their extraordinary accomplishments and significant contributions to the performance of their agencies.
GCN commended SuperTracker for its “elegantly lean” design, utilizing Web 2.0 technologies, like Javascript and XML, and connecting to social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter. GCN applauded the SuperTracker Team for harmoniously promoting USDA nutrition guidance using the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as well as innovatively addressing a nationwide obesity crisis.
“The GCN Award for IT Achievement is a great honor,” said Dr. Robert Post, Deputy Director at the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. “The big win, however, is that millions of people are using SuperTracker to improve their health every day. That is the real reward.”
SuperTracker, released in December 2011, is an interactive data center for persons interested in developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It allows users to create a personalized diet and physical activity plan, track foods and activities, and set personal goals in addition to receiving online support and coaching. SuperTracker, developed and maintained by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, can be accessed at www.ChooseMyPlate.gov.