There are many reasons why we need to transform school lunches. As discussed in this blog childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate and has more than tripled in the past 30 years. This crisis has prompted parents, teachers, and leaders to provide healthier food options as well as review the nutritional standards, which have not been updated in over 15 years (Parsons, 2001, p. 1). Even though it's very clear that school lunches need a makeover, it is a surprisingly complex and controversial topic. "It is an issue of money, history, policy, and children's dietary choices"(Aiken, 2010, p. 1). Government policies make it difficult to change school lunches because school lunch programs are federally funded by a complex web of manufacturers who spend millions of dollars on advertising. It is also difficult to change peoples’ attitudes and perceptions about food.
Current research shows that healthy lifestyle habits can decrease the rate of obesity. That is why it is so important to give children the building blocks for a healthier future. Every child deserves fresh and healthy food. We must end the highly processed food in schools and reconnect children to gardening, lunch prep, and cooking. This means learning how to cook, understanding where food comes from, and recognizing the power it can have on our health, happiness, and finances.
References:
Aikens, L. (2010, November 1). What Will it Take To Change School Lunch? | WakeMed Voices. WakeMed Voices. Retrieved June 6, 2011, from http://wakemedvoices.org/2010/11/what-will-it-take-to-change-school-lunch/
Owens, J. O. (n.d.). Sleep: The Missing Link in Preventing Childhood Obesity | Intent.com. Intent.com | Dream It, Share It, Achieve It. Retrieved June 6, 2011, from http://www.intent.com/nancyrothstein/blog/sleep-missing-link-preventing-childhood-obesity
Parsons, S. (2011, April 16). What's Going On with School Lunch Reform?. change.org. Retrieved June 3, 2011, from https://news.change.org/stories/whats-going-on-with-school-lunch-reform
Good critique. What do the "other side" say about keeping lunches the way they currently are? Do they just say it's too difficult to change? Cost too much?
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