Kids, School and The “S” Word

Oh yes, it’s that time of year.  Youngsters with backpacks have begun converging on the streets on their way to the bus stops.  To get this school year started off right Whole Foods Market is partnering with parents, educators, school districts and the community at large (let’s call it extended family) to do the thing we most love to do…get kids to eat their veggies!  Oh my friends, not just veggies, no over-cooked broccoli here, we’re going for the “S” word (the one they’re actually allowed to say), SALAD!   Whole Foods Market is committed to healthy eating and we’ve raised the bar on our commitment to impacting what is served in school cafeterias.  We’ve partnered with Chef Ann Cooper, The Renegade Lunch Lady and her Food Family Farming Foundation to collaborate on The Salad Bar Project to put salad bars in local Tucson schools.  The typical vegetable in a school lunch program is often french fries or tater tots.  While the deep fried potato dipped in sauce is often the life of the party we all know there are better fresh fruit and vegetable options to nourish the bodies and minds of our growing youth.  More than 30 million children participate in the National School Lunch Program every day and for many kids this is their only “complete” meal of the day. 

If artificially flavored foods and deep fried potatoes aren’t your idea of a nutritious lunch get on board with The Salad Bar Project and help us put salad bars in LOCAL Tucson, AZ schools!

GOAL:  A healthy salad bar in at least two Tucson area schools.

WHY: According to The Center for Disease Control, children born in the year 2000, one‐third will contract diabetes. And, these children will be the first in our country’s history to die at a younger age than their parents.

• 70.1% of Americans are overweight; 4.3 million children ages 10 – 14 will become overweight or obese in the next 24 months.
• Rates of childhood obesity are soaring. About 12 percent of children ages 2 to 5 are obese compared with 17% of kids 6 to 11, and 18% of kids ages 12 to 19.

HOW: We are engaging our customers and team members to help us raise at least$2,500 at each of our two Tucson stores to help implement a salad bar program in two Tucson are schools.  If we raise twice that amount at each location that means we can double the number of salad bars! 

WHAT ELSE? Interested schools may apply for the salad bar grant between Sept. 1, 2010 and Nov. 1, 2010 at www.salabarproject.org.  Schools must commit to having a salad bar program for at least two years following acceptance of the grant.  Successful applicants will be notified by Nov. 1, 2010. 

ACT NOW! Visit either of our two Tucson area stores and make a donation at the register.  Donate $1, $5 or whatever amount you’re able to share.  Every donation, regardless of size will make an impact on this program and allow us as a community to support our youth and kick off what is sure to be a healthy eating epidemic.  

MORE INFO: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/backtoschool