All arguments aside, there are those in this great country of ours who go hungry, plain and simple. Thankfully there are many like-minded individuals here who understand that fact and are willing to offer real suggestions.
There are kids in our district who rely on the meals that they’re getting at school… those are the ones who get their meals subsidized by fed and state funding… they are the ones who I am the most concerned with. No, their parents either don’t have the money or they are living in a situation where the parent(s) just don’t know better or don’t care… they’re going home and either not having dinner or eating even less healthy food because it’s cheap and that’s what they can afford. And sadly as studies have shown, people who are hovering around that poverty line are less educated about proper nutrition, so they’re the ones who are more likely to see a happy meal as a good alternative to feed their kid because it’s cheap, instead of spending that money on bulk brown rice, legumes and some inexpensive greens to eat for a week…
Many schools in our area actually make a profit off lunch, (our district included) which is why I think that our district should be doing better for the kids whose parents can’t afford to pack them, the kids who rely on what they’re being served at school for a ‘decent meal’
Ultimately, we’re working on a three fold approach to the situation and trying very hard to get the district on board
Nutritional education at every grade… not just the “eat a rainbow” feel-good stuff they tell the kids, but tell them exactly WHY eating fast food, copious amounts of fat, salt, sugar is bad for you and what it does to the body
Physical Fitness and increased activity – give elementary school and middle school kids a longer lunch period so that you can give them at least 15 minutes of activity BEFORE lunch
Nutrition in the schools – serve less processed and more whole foods, get rid of anything with HFCS and do better than the “standards” for food set by the US Govt (which are pitiful) instead of doritos, sell whole fruits and veggie snacks and healthy options for ala carte items instead of Doritos, donuts and potato chips!
I have an opportunity here to possibly make things better for ALL the kids in our district so any input here is greatly appreciated!