In light of the fact that there seems to be so much
misperception regarding the importance of the nutrition initiative, I thought I
would spend some time to catch everyone up on what is going on. As, even though I have been involved in this for some time, I am also left confused.
The new government regulations have begun to take effect for our National School Lunch Program. (which also includes Breakfast) Rather than spend time explaining them, I will sum it up and attach the link for those that want more information. The new regulations, known as the Healthy
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/LAC_03-06-12.pdf
One benefit of these new regulations, is allowing creativity
and more push to create freshly prepared meals. Processed foods notoriously have high sodium levels and are filled with many unwanted chemicals and additives. It is recommended, as a way to control that, to cook your own food from fresh ingredients. Before we say “there is no time for cooking”
or “we do not have the equipment for cooking”, that is not the case, as there
were freshly prepared meals last year and with some practice, it ran smoothly,
and sold well. This year we are unfortunately back to almost all processed non nutritional foods. Considering that Food Service reported that we are down in sales from last year(same time frame), It seems that contrary to what some may believe, selling processed foods is not necessarily the answer to the financial issues at hand.
Since there have been many comments suggesting that there is
no need to do this stuff in schools, I wanted to share a link to address why
this issue of childhood obesity needs to be addressed, as it is affecting our national security.
http://www.missionreadiness.org/2012/statement-in-support-of-updated-school-meal-standards/
As the first Newly reformulated Nutrition Advisory meeting took place this week , it was upsetting to see so many non- nutritional items being discussed as continuing or being added to the menu, even though there was no documentation to support that these items had ever sold well. So if it is not a top selling item and has a poor nutritional profile, why would it even be up for discussion?
I left the meeting very confused, as it seems that we never have ALL of the information needed to make the best educated decisions, but yet a vote is still taken, and decision is made. It would have of course been helpful to see the cost and ingredients (per meal) of every meal offered in the district, the profit margin and rebate information, as well as the sales (by location) information, but yet it seems like we never have any of that information available, and we continue to make decisions blindly. When decisions are made without all of the information, we all know it just leads to more problems.
In late spring, the food service director created a new "rule" for belonging to this Nutritional Advisory Committee...one must submit a letter of intent and go through an interview process!! A very qualified, former member (nurse, and dietician!) was denied membership (or voting power)!! This is a person who has volunteered countless hours, and offered her expertise in the field of nutrition ONLY when asked. She also happens to be a person who would NOT vote to have foods containing TRANS FATS added to the new foods being served to our kids. And, Upper Dublin would never jump the Federal ship, and forego the guidelines...it is much too difficult to run a profitable cafeteria without all the federal "freebies" we get a lot more than anyone thinks. Our district wants to sell both the non-nutritive, highly processed, high profit foods, along side the "healthier" stuff...and it's not working! Kids...given the choice, will choose recess, art, and gym over Math, Spelling, and Reading...but in the cafeteria, they can always choose what is wrong for them!! Our schools must start to practice what they teach...eat a balanced meal!!
Great point! Amazing how we cower to our children, especially in school. I'm sorry but since when do children dictate curriculum? If we teach them how and what to eat, then why our we not following up with best practices in the cafeteria? Why do they have the option of choosing junk at all? It is not about best sellers. Obviously they would choose ice cream all day if they could. It is our duty as parents, caregivers, teachers, educators, etc to TEACH them, to guide them and put in front of them what is best. And perhaps if we creatively came up with options that tasted good as well...they do exist...they would enjoy what they ate! Lead by example. It really is that simple.
The school board should know what is going on...they put the Wellness Policy into action, and Dr. Pladus is ultimately responsible. Time to take action! Serving meatballs with hydrogenated oil, onion rings and cheese steaks does not warrant Upper Dublin having a Nutrition Advisory Committee with half a brain!!
Upper Dublin strives to be better than average in Academics and Athletics...why not in the food that is served to it's students. And, I mean to the students in this district who have no choice but to eat what is served to them!
Upper Dublin will not commit to serving only healthy options. While other districts in our area and across the country are making great strides, we still serve Pizza DAILY, mozzarella sticks, cheese steaks, chicken bites and General Tso's chicken (sodium content for three days!), canned fruit, and chocolate milk! The food service and district are just not going to make any big changes...the little ones are failing. Which third grader will buy a turkey wrap and an apple over chicken bite, fries and chocolate milk???
You mention test scores being at the forefront: children can't succeed without proper nutrition...that is a FACT. Children can't excel in sports without proper nutrition...that is a FACT. If we are forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in taxes for this Taj Mahal, at the very least, please feed our children the very best to be the very best!
Thanks for your comment. Are you still the food service director at Hatboro Horsham? The Advisory committee is not mostly Registered Dieticians, and in all honesty, I do not believe that only registered dieticians would be able to decide acceptable foods. If we have a regulation in place that was done with the input of dieticians, very knowledgeable parents and medical professionals, then all that really needs to be done is to follow it. Most importantly is that this committee have people, especially the voting members, that are all for the cause so that decisions can be made with the right intent.
I am also a former food service worker(17 years) and I also agree that education is the key to feeding kids more healthy foods. But, it is not ok for kids to be able to purchase highly processed foods every day from the school cafeteria! It would be nice to be able to switch back to the "serve only" system...then kids would actually be getting what parents think they are getting...a balanced meal on their tray! But most do not know this is an " offer verses serve only" system where kids pick the four components they want to make up their reimbursable lunch. And without much marketing, or education about kids having to take a fruit or veggie for their lunch to be reimbursable...sales will be down. A quick solution is to have plenty of fruit juices at the cashier, so kids can just grab a juice to get through the line, and then toss it before they even sit down to eat! FAILURE!! Everyone must be involved in the education of this transition to real food. School board, supers, teachers, principals, students, and parents. Kids have to know why we are having them eat more fruits and veggies, whole grains, less salt and less calories. And it has to be taught and reinforced by all to succeed! Our district does a great job teaching health and nutrition at all levels, but there is no connection with the cafeterias. Kids still get to buy chicken bites with a roll, canned pears, and chocolate milk. Where is the fiber? The vegetable, the real fruit???
My 1st and second graders know the difference between a complex and simple carbohydrates in every day foods that they consume! Most educated adults don't know the differences! Kids should not have to choose between healthy foods that are good for them, and processed, fast foods with little nutritional value AT SCHOOL...they can not choose to have only gym, art and recess all day or to read pornography...we do dictate what we teach them academically...why not when it comes to nutrition?? Kids need a balanced meal served to them at school...PERIOD! Thanks for reading