Back to School Food

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Editor,

With the new school year starting, parents’ to-do lists are now filled

with shopping for school clothes, school supplies, and school food.

That’s right – school food!

In past years, our nation’s schools were used by the USDA as a dumping

ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities. It is neither a surprise

nor coincidence that one-third of our children have become overweight or

obese. Such dietary mistakes at an early age become lifelong addictions,

raising their risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Then came President Obama’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

requiring double the servings of fruits and vegetables, more whole

grains, less sodium and fat, and no meat for breakfast. The guidelines

are supported by 86% of Americans.

Most U.S. school districts now offer vegetarian options. More than 120

schools including the entire school districts of Baltimore, Boston,

Buffalo, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Oakland,

Philadelphia, and San Diego have implemented Meatless Monday. Some

schools have dropped meat from their menu altogether.

As parents, we need to involve our own children and school cafeteria

managers in promoting healthy, plant-based foods in our own schools.

Going online and searching for “vegetarian options in schools” provides

lots of good resources.

Lobart Ikle, Laguna Beach

 

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1 COMMENT

  1. There is no time like the present to teach students the value of nutrition and economics by having them prepare and plan their own meals.

    By feeding them in masses and choosing and regulating what they eat is missing the opportunity to have them become involved in a process that they will need to build upon and share with others their whole lives.

    Sending you kids off to school has often been seen as a break for parents but leaves the children and young adults with both an attitude of indecisiveness and experimentation .

    Parents, don’t send your kids to school hungry , and teachers, don’t leave them hungry (figuratively)

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