Sticks & stones may break our bones but...preservatives, pink slime, carcinogens, high-fructose & high-sodium etc is what will kill us all if we don't act now!
I told myself I wouldn't respond to such petty, inane comments but calling someone a "nutritionnazi" is not only unacceptable, but ignorant. Not only are you offending a world full of Jews (and those that support them,) you are setting back the clock on offensive, hurtful speech and a reminder of the most painful time for us over 60 years. (Remember the Holocaust!)
The NIS is a group of parents, some of us executives, who commit time we don't have, to dedicate ourselves to the betterment and well-being of the children of Upper Dublin. We spend valuable time pouring over research to figure out ways that we can work with the schools to improve the quality of what is being served to our children...your children, perhaps...in efforts to prevent what we know is inevitable if we don't make these changes: heart disease, obesity, diabetes.
This is how change begins. It starts with a small group of people willing to go against "the popular." It's so much easier to sit back and do nothing. But easy doesn't mean it's right. And we know this all to well. We know change and what's worth it takes a lot of effort & time & patience. And we're willing to sacrifice because if we don't, who will?
And we on the NIS are willing to endure all the bullying and name-calling that comes with our un-paid task of pursuing this utmost important duty of doing what's best for all children: the BEST nutrition & well-being for Upper Dublin because if we don't, who will?
If there were no change in the world, we'd still be living in a world full of slavery, of segregation. But we are not, I'm assuming, in no thanks to you. We are at a place now where we know better, can do better. We now are facing a society where our kids are plagued with adult diseases such as Type-II Diabetes that onset at age 10. But we can change that.
When an ADHD child is offered a donut at yet another classroom celebration and he accepts so as not to appear an outsider, are you aware of the consequences? Because it doesn't just affect his already shaky behavior, but takes time away from his teacher, and the entire class as well.
And what about the child who was diagnosed with high cholesterol? The school knows that the menu contains highly processed food that can be further damaging, but her mother doesn't... That might not affect you directly but that's why we're here: to make you aware that this is more than about just one child, it's all-encompassing.
You question listeria in Pre-sliced apple packs. How about instead of pointing out the negatives, focus on the positives: the entire country is aware that childhood obesity is an epidemic and is making changes. McDonald's is offering healthy options. Instead of the all-over unhealthy option of French fries, they are offering parents a healthy choice. The NIS is asking Upper Dublin to do the same. Instead of name-calling and bullying, you should be supporting these efforts.
Shame on you. Please think before you speak. You have set the standard for what should never, ever be said...in public or otherwise! We learned it in Kindergarten and this continues to be the most valuable life-long tenet: if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.
This is about awareness, change, in a time where both are desperately needed. It's about action, and those that choose to lead with a purpose they feel strongly about. It's not about telling you what to do inside your home. It's not about name-calling. It's about making a difference. Stand up and be heard or sit down and listen quietly... But for goodness sake, please don't knock efforts of those that truly care and want to change the world for a better place.
Separate your head from your heart for a moment and understand you cannot force your will on people and that change takes time. You MUST admit that there is a more moderate, educated group of concerned parents with actual degrees and backgrounds in nutrition who disagree with your policies and methods. Though I'm doubtful of a "national health epidemic" as I drive by and see the hundreds of skinny kids waiting in line for their school bus, I'm actually in agreement that children should be healthy. But I also submit to you that kids will get a lot more out of exercise and reducing TV and Xbox than restricting their diet.
"In April, the Chicago Tribune reported that “unless they have a medical excuse, they must eat the food served in the cafeteria.” The bottom line? Banning homemade lunches means a fatter payday for the school and its food provider. The unwritten mantra driving Mrs. Obama’s federal school-lunch meddling and expansion is: “Cede the children, feed the state.” biggest beneficiaries of her efforts over the past three years have been her husband’s deep-pocketed pals at the Service Employees International Union. There are 400,000 workers who prepare and serve lunch to American schoolchildren. SEIU represents tens of thousands of those workers and is trying to unionize many more at all costs. The full story at http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/286351/michelle-obama-s-unsavory-br-school-lunch-flop-michelle-malkin Hum
"Health food does sell very well, you just need to eliminate the not-so-healthy food," says Sue Grunstad, a licensed dietician and public health nutritionist in Williston, North Dakota. "Kids will buy what's available. If you put out good food, they will buy it." Work with your food service provider to get the healthiest options in your cafeteria. "Everybody sees it as a problem, but no one sees it as a priority," says Marilyn Tanner-Blasiar, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and a registered dietician in St. Louis. "Administrators and the school board have a lot of power in school lunch programs." When a principal or superintendent embraces healthy school initiatives, it gives time-strapped teachers the permission to integrate nutrition messages and physical activity into the day. Too often, teachers see health needs of kids as an additional expectation for them to address, rather than a complementary thing that that they can do as a part of academics, says Pete Hunt, lead health scientist in the Division of Adolescent and School Health at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754211
Get out and stand up for what you believe in if you must, but set your own kids a better example of how to get things done in this world. And Bill? You deserve a different type of disgust for making this a political arena. Shame.
The fact is that this program IS NOT WORKING as evidenced by parents' support (or lack thereof) of buying school lunches. School lunch program participation continues to drop and teachers and food service workers will tell you how much food is wasted by those who do participate because it simply is not edible since making these changes. I'd venture to guess that MORE snacks are consumed to substitute for the lunches they aren't eating. Not all goals are fully achieveable and every effort has limits: knowledge, financial and even at times political. The approach NIS has chosen to take has been divisive and determined by many trained nutritionists to be extreme and unnecessary. Contrary to the title of this blog, NIS is the group that tries to bully everyone into following its lead by accusing any opposers as somehow not caring for the children--THAT is why it's not worth fighting publicly. This will to conquor has reduced the credibility of the movement to an annoying rattle and is taking time away from far more critical issues facing our district like the budget which threatens class size and instructional resources. If we can't sustain a proper education, these meals will have no one to eat them.
Like you I'm all about sustaining a proper education. So were my parents. It's why they moved to UD to begin with, and why I moved my own family here. My and my wife's own personal choices are to pack lunch 4 days a week, and allow our kids the opportunity to learn to make a decision about food once a week. They're still young, this is our choice for them. Not saying it works for everyone...but like many parents we do wish to have more control over their diets, that's how we do it. I just know that there are many parents who don't have the ability to do this, and I don't believe there should be this unfortunate vitriol when discussing our kids. Hate mail shouldn't be tolerated by either side of this discussion...it is only diluting the discussion and ultimately hurting our kids.
"The fact is that this program IS NOT WORKING as evidenced by parents' support (or lack thereof) of buying school lunches. School lunch program participation continues to drop" -participation does not mean everyone who buys lunch, it is just who buys a reimbursable lunch, does not take into account those that buy a la carte. "food service workers will tell you how much food is wasted by those who do participate because it simply is not edible since making these changes."-sorry to say that I cannot trust what food service workers say since they had switched fresh fruit for preservative fruit and never told parents. Also the way the food is cooked has nothing to do with the initiative...even great ingredients can taste bad if they are not cooked properly "The approach NIS has chosen to take has been divisive and determined by many trained nutritionists to be extreme and unnecessary."-very mean DON....and what trained nutritionists made such a a statement "NIS is the group that tries to bully everyone into following its lead by accusing any opposers as somehow not caring for the children--THAT is why it's not worth fighting publicly."-since when is trying to change for the better considered bullying...good cop out for hiding behind the internet. "This will to conquor has reduced the credibility of the movement to an annoying rattle and is taking time away from far more critical issues" it is not the initiative, it is constant resistance
I feel nor intend no vitriol and certainly no hate. If you want to see vitriol and hate, go to the political blog cesspool on Patch. I fear for our future. Here, though, when anyone raises any objections they are bullied and labled as "against children" because NIS has convinced themselves that there is no other option than their own position, there is no room for debate or even admitting they may just not be right about something. They won't even acknowledge there's another group of parents with opposing views but similar goals. As I've said before, my main objection isn't eating healthy, it's the countless hours and direct costs that are spent on this failed initiative: administrative meeting time and paperwork; school board committees; hourly (and overtime) wages paid to food service for meetings, training, consultations, and committee representation; legal costs; consultant fees; food testing and tastings, etc. If this initiative was able to distract the district from making even worse decisions like that unnecessary and expensive turf UDHS field, butter me up a tofu sandwich! If you want to see the divide, simply attend 2 board meetings in a row... one where NIS lines up 30 people to read beautifully scripted letters in near tears, then one where the more moderate and knowledgable group of parents refute those claims and offers a more achieveable plan.
Mr. Hallen, I am not on the board though I've seen NIS' presentations at meetings through UDTV and try to stay abreast of what happens in our township through newspapers and a diverse field of people (and not just those I happen to regularly agree with). Justme, you are unable to accept criticism nor admit that your approach is not working. You haven't proven any of my statements wrong, you've simply provided your own opinion which is normally part of a constructive dialog until it's implied I'm against children. Wasted food: absolutely true whether you verify this through food service, lunch ladies or teachers. Lack of participation: all evidence shows that meal purchases are down since instituting your new menu. Impirically, children complain the food is awful. Failed effort: after spending countless hours and dollars on this and adoption is not there, what would you call this? Recommendation: regroup, replan, re-execute. There's nothing wrong with being wrong but when you realize you are on the wrong road the last thing you do is continue driving. Change message and leadership, reach out to others, (re)build bridges with food service and find common ground. Good luck, I believe your intentions are good and honest which I do appreciate.
"it's the countless hours and direct costs that are spent on this failed initiative: administrative meeting time and paperwork; school board committees; hourly (and overtime) wages paid to food service for meetings, training, consultations, and committee representation; legal costs; consultant fees; food testing and tastings, etc."- .... administrative empolyees are salaried and have meetings all the time for whatever needs attention,and by the way...they are paid, what about the countless hours that NIS members have spent for time unpaid doing work for the school district, no school board committee (BTW-school board members are not paid),no paperwork, no legal costs, no consultation fees
Perhaps you should tell them which of those should be disregarded so they can focus more on food. You look at this as if it's in a vaccuum which it is not. So here it is again: your approach is not working. You admit food is being thrown out and food service is not able to meet your demands. Change something, take another direction, soften the approach, whatever will help you reach the goal. This is a negotiation between people; you are not leading a dictatorship and so you must be more open, collaborative and cooperative. This dictatorial approach is what drives people mad and prevents progress. Though I happen to be the one telling you the impression your group is leaving, it certainly is not my exclusive perception. I hope this offers an opportunity for reflection though by your response it appears to have not and so I'm done.
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
I want to thank Jill Florin and the NIS for making this happen - this has been a tremendous amount of time and effort on your part. Medical research and scientific studies have shown that these chemicals are poisonous. I am grateful that when my kid eats something sold at school, these chemicals will not be circulating through her heart, lungs, kidneys and all her precious "inside parts" as she calls them.
I just caught up with all this and didn't realize that there was (or could be) such a controversy over serving healthy food in the cafeteria. As a parent of two elementary kids in the district, I'm personally thankful that there are people like you who are trying to effect some positive change in our schools and community. I don't really understand the vitriol being directed at you. I get the sense from some of the previous comments that those who are opposed to these (healthier) changes are just opposed to any kind of "regulation" at all, that somehow their rights to feed their children are somehow being compromised. Public schools are required to do what's best for the public good. School lunches are partially subsidized by the public school system, which means that they should subsidize what's considered healthy. I don't know exactly how school lunch programs are subsidized, but I don't want my tax dollars being spent on food that's not healthy. Period. Why shouldn't a public school serve food that is nutritious? No one's rights are being compromised. Send your kid into school with whatever you want. But why should the school subsidize food that's not healthy? Anyway, thanks again for all you do.