The Push for Healthy Food and Beverages in School
With childhood obesity at an all-time high (one in three kids in America is overweight) many parents are looking to the school system to provide healthier options for their children when it comes to food and beverages. Since parents can only really control what their kids consume at home, and many rely on the options available through public schools to provide their children with at least one healthy and balanced meal each day, there is an onus on the government to ensure that the schools our tax dollars pay for are putting the best interests of our nation’s children first (in the lunch room as well as the classroom). Sadly, most school districts have a bottom line to consider, and when it comes to wheeling and dealing for cafeteria fare, they go for low-cost fillers over nutritional content.
With her “Let’s Move” campaign, First Lady Michelle Obama turned the public spotlight on the growing issue (no pun intended) of childhood obesity and the very real need for adults in this country to begin examining just what their kids are consuming. And many schools have risen to the challenge, looking for ways to meet the growing demand to provide healthier options for kids. In some cases, schools have cracked down on the prevalence of vending machines on campus. Although these food and drink dispensers provide valuable extra income for schools that are strapped for cash (often supplementing a budget so that expendable programs like arts, music, and sports might be preserved), there are better ways to expand a child’s mind than by expanding their midsection. By replacing soda with water or natural juices and ditching the chips and cookies in favor of fruit snacks or nuts, schools can still get a bump for the budget while providing a better option for the physical health of their students.
Further, many districts are exploring their options when it comes to the cuisine that populates the cafeteria. Instead of sticking with the companies they’ve been using for years, some schools are branching out by making deals with local farms or co-ops. This type of mutually beneficial relationship is not only good for kids, but also for the community at large. Children will enjoy fresh produce that was previously unavailable (in some cases, even organic options) and neighboring farms will flourish, pumping more money into the local economy and less pollution into the environment. And if schools purchase in bulk, they can get a good deal on produce (since the shipping and processing costs are minimal at the local level) and give farmers the business they need to stay afloat.
While most school districts have long-standing arrangements in place when it comes to food providers, it’s important to look at other potential sources that could provide better nutrition. Even though the main focus of any school is education, the health of their students should be of paramount importance. After all, if a child isn’t given the healthy foods that will provide them with the energy and stamina they need to function, they’re going to have a much harder time attending to academic pursuits.
Sarah Danielson writes for Fatty Weight Loss where you can find articles on health and nutrition in addition to information on recipes under 300 calories and information on Jillian Michaels.