A national movement of foodies, farmers, parents and educators is pushing for better school food - San Jose Mercury News:
"Schools like ACE Charter are contracting with companies that provide organic lunches. 'Farm to School' programs that connect schools with local farms — like the relationship between Full Circle Farm in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara Unified School District — are popping up nationwide. And Slow Food USA is organizing 'Time for Lunch,' a campaign designed to 'get real food in schools.' The effort kicks off on Labor Day with more than 300 'Eat-ins,' or community pot lucks, planned across the nation."
Advocates hope the momentum will lead to an overhaul of the Child Nutrition Act, the bill that governs the National School Lunch Program and is up for reauthorization in Congress this fall.
"It's the right time for this campaign," said Gordon Jenkins of Slow Food USA. "People are more food conscious overall. We have Michelle Obama planting a garden in the White House lawn. Now the burden is on us to show that there's a political will for this."
Most local school districts contract with large food service companies that prepare food off-site, often in other states, then freeze it and ship it to school districts. The food is then heated in microwaves or warmers. Corn dogs, pizza, and nachos — meals that are high in fats and cholesterol — are standard fare.
"Schools don't have kitchens anymore," Jenkins said. "If we really want healthy food, the food needs to be prepared at the schools."
But cost is an enormous barrier. Advocates such as Slow Food, which was founded in opposition to fast food and emphasizes eating locally grown food, are urging Congress to raise the reimbursement rate so schools can buy fresher ingredients.
"Schools like ACE Charter are contracting with companies that provide organic lunches. 'Farm to School' programs that connect schools with local farms — like the relationship between Full Circle Farm in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara Unified School District — are popping up nationwide. And Slow Food USA is organizing 'Time for Lunch,' a campaign designed to 'get real food in schools.' The effort kicks off on Labor Day with more than 300 'Eat-ins,' or community pot lucks, planned across the nation."
Advocates hope the momentum will lead to an overhaul of the Child Nutrition Act, the bill that governs the National School Lunch Program and is up for reauthorization in Congress this fall.
"It's the right time for this campaign," said Gordon Jenkins of Slow Food USA. "People are more food conscious overall. We have Michelle Obama planting a garden in the White House lawn. Now the burden is on us to show that there's a political will for this."
Most local school districts contract with large food service companies that prepare food off-site, often in other states, then freeze it and ship it to school districts. The food is then heated in microwaves or warmers. Corn dogs, pizza, and nachos — meals that are high in fats and cholesterol — are standard fare.
"Schools don't have kitchens anymore," Jenkins said. "If we really want healthy food, the food needs to be prepared at the schools."
But cost is an enormous barrier. Advocates such as Slow Food, which was founded in opposition to fast food and emphasizes eating locally grown food, are urging Congress to raise the reimbursement rate so schools can buy fresher ingredients.
