Comments on: Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Have Me Fired Up

By: Capo For Guitar

Capo For Guitar — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:21:08 +0000

Superb study, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing just a little research on that. And he actually purchased me lunch simply because I discovered it for him smile So allow me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!

By: heather

heather — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:32:10 +0000

Hear that…food in schools has only gotten worse and what I remember wasn't that good in the first place! I work hard to teach my kids about healthy eating and positive choices but feel confronted every time I turn around. It took me FOREVER just to get my husband on board, albeit grudgingly.

I hope we can start to change things for the better as more people take notice.

By: Cold Spaghetti

Cold Spaghetti — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:56:48 +0000

Yes and yes. I wonder what pull the administration will have with the FDA? And the USDA? School lunches are the way they are because it's working for folks who make a lot of money keeping things the way they are. Selling poor quality meat to public schools (lower standards than those met by fast food industry — where 3/4 of the meat is positive for things so heinous I shudder), as an example.

Though you're making me feel better about the fact that I can't get my kids into a public school. At least at the private school, a local restaurant provides awesome healthy lunches.

By: Colleen/FoodieTots

Colleen/FoodieTots — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:37:31 +0000

Well said! And that blog megwhite mentioned is truly horrifying. My son's not in public school yet, but my fear is that even if we pack his lunch, he'll see the school lunch as "better" — I know I did when I was sent to school with the dreaded sandwich on wheat bread. Sigh.

By: qandlequeen

qandlequeen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:50:51 +0000

Oh forgot to add, the rise in behavior problems has to be directly linked to diet – hell that is a whole rant within itself.

By: qandlequeen

qandlequeen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:49:57 +0000

You are dead on correct.

We joked as kids about dismal school lunches, but I was horrified what I saw on the trays when I went back to work for the schools. And every year it got worse. One menu item that was a big hit was a giant pretzel with cheese. AS THE FREAKING ENTREE! I gladly chucked up the extra dollar when they had Papa John's Pizza day. It's sad when take-out pizza is the healthiest offering on the menu.

Totally sickening. yes, this should be the top of someone's agenda.

By: scot

scot — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:25:20 +0000

And just think if we can get kids to eat healthy and reduce obesity in the next generation, the outcome it will have on Healthcare costs…

By: Suzanne Woodstock

Suzanne Woodstock — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:52:32 +0000

Amen. And wow, that looks disgusting.

By: Jennifer @ OrangePolkaDot

Jennifer @ OrangePolkaDot — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:46:29 +0000

Well said Ilina! There was once an NPR segment a few years ago about the school lunch program at the Berkeley public schools that was great. I think the director of the program created a program that schools could implement & maybe wrote a book… I'll never forget the part in Super Size Me when the school for kids kicked out of other schools changed the menu to healthy, real, cooked in a kitchen food & behavior problems diminished.

I have been impressed with how well kids eat here in Catalunya. My school is a Waldorf school so it isn't a huge surprise to see organic food. Kids that brown bag it, bring little bottles of olive oil to drizzle their first course salad or soup. So, I checked out the public school lunch menus and they are the same – reads like a typical restaurant menu here. The link to the menu is at the bottom of the page. http://ow.ly/1agvc

By: April

April — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:24:33 +0000

I make the girls' lunches every day except on Fridays. But then there's the issue of kids trading. *sigh*