What’s the Problem with School Lunches?
by jenkintown, October 14, 2009 | Permalink
Lately Whole Foods Market has been concentrating a lot of energy on an important issue facing many American families. The school lunch. Did you know that highly processed foods are standard fare in many school lunchrooms, and more than two-thirds of public schools serve lunches that exceed recommended limits for fat content? Right now at least 30% of kids are overweight, childhood obesity has more than doubled, and it is predicted that one in three will develop diabetes!
How did we get here and how can we make a difference in the lives of our kids? We want to know what changes you think need to be made in your child’s school? Let’s start a discussion and be part of the solution!
2 Responses to “What’s the Problem with School Lunches?”
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October 27th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
The problem comes from many dimensions:
1. Kids are served “kid food” in early childhood b/c parents believe these are the only foods their kid will eat.
2. The government only gives most schools a modest amt. of money for the school lunch program.
3. Kids only have 20 mins to eat, and if they go through the line that leaves even less time.
4. Parents don’t have time to pack lunches…
So, my solution is to offer an incentive (a sticker, a homework pass) to encourage kids to try new vegetables. Maybe WF could bring one new vegetable dish to a pilot school every week and see if the kids like it. Most Americans are only eating 1-2 svgs of F/V per day.
October 29th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Those are such great observations. Our School Lunch Revolution Essay Contest is a great way for classrooms to win a fabulous healthy eating package for all the kids in the class. Anyone interested in entering can download the application on the Whole Foods Market Jenkintown home page.