Blog Rationale

In my blog, I plan to address the issue of improving school lunches. School lunches are notorious for serving highly processed foods, low-grade meat, high fructose corn syrup, and other artificial sweeteners and dyes. Even the fruit cups served at schools often contain corn syrup. The topic is compelling because childhood obesity is on the rise. Our schools need to educate students about making healthy food choices. Not only do we need to change what is being served in the lunchroom, but we also need to put an equal emphasis on how children learn about food. Students need a hands on education in order to shape healthy eating habits. We can do better with our lunch program and our kids deserve better.

The controversy regarding school lunch comes down to how much time, effort, and money school districts and the government want to spend on revamping school lunch programs. According to an article in the New York Times, “most school lunches rely heavily on high-energy, low-nutrient-value food, because it’s cheaper. Junk food often provides calories cheaper than healthy food and schools are required to serve at least a minimum number of calories. Thus, choosing fried, fatty or sugary foods allows them to meet their calorie minimum for a lower price” (Rabin, 2011, p. 1). The government federally funds many schools lunch programs and unfortunately schools have little control of what is being served in the cafeteria. “The day-to-day decisions are in the hands of individual school districts and schools, but the parameters that govern the program and determine what can and can't be served are decided at a federal level. The USDA sets nutrition standards for school meals and even provides about one-fifth of the food served in school cafeterias. Congress determines the amount spent on each meal and oversees the USDA's administration of the program” (Richardson, 2011, p.2). Because congress decides how much money is to be spent on meals, schools don’t have much of a choice in terms of what food is being served.

Another factor in the school lunch debate is the fact that healthy foods often require more preparation, which means it requires more skilled labor and equipment. The Obama administration is currently working to address these issues. “Perhaps the most hopeful part of the Obama administration's stated goals is its push for increased farm-to-school programs, bringing more local, healthy food into our schools. Farm to School meals result in consumption of more fruits and vegetables with an average increase of one serving per day, including at home. And for every dollar spent on local foods in schools, one to three dollars circulate in the local economy” (Richardson, 2011, p.4).

This year my school revamped our lunch program. We have eliminated all prepackaged and frozen foods. The lunch lady makes homemade chicken drumsticks, mac n cheese with real cheese, grass fed beef hamburgers, and serves plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables with each meal. Students can choose water or white milk for their beverage.

In this blog you will find links and videos to help support your school’s food revolution. I plan to share stories from our school as well as research to show school lunches across the nation need an overhaul. It is my hope that you find this blog inspirational and that it empowers you to start making changes in your school and district.

Some of the questions I will address are:

How can we change school lunch programs? Why are school lunches so hard to change? How can parents, the community, and schools get involved to make healthy changes to school lunches?

References:

Rabin, R. (2011, February 4). Childhood: Obesity and School Lunches. New York Times, p. 1.

Richardson, J. (n.d.). Are School Lunches Setting Kids Up for Obesity and Poor Nutrition?. alternet.org.

Retrieved June 3, 2011, from www.alternet.org/food/145803/are_school_lunches_setting_kids