National campaign aims to change school foods

National campaign aims to change school foods

A new national campaign is underway to unite those tired of just putting up with the garbage that has been passing for nutrition in their children’s schools.

by Joanne Henning Tedesco — 

Parents across the country are becoming more aware and alarmed by the quality of food being served to their children at school. Until recently, many felt like they had little say or power to make a change in the system. A new national campaign is underway to unite those tired of just putting up with the garbage that has been passing for nutrition in their children’s schools.

The Organic Consumers Association (organicconsumers.org) is sponsoring Appetite for a Change, a nationwide campaign working to make school food programs healthy and sustainable. Another objective of the campaign is to integrate organic foods and nontoxic products into schools, creating a safer, healthier environment in which children can learn and grow.

Appetite for a Change goals:

• STOP spraying toxic pesticides on school grounds and in buildings; instead, convert to integrated pest management practices.
• KICK junk foods and junk food ads out of schools.
• START converting school lunches to healthier menus, transitioning to organic ingredients (no pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, irradiation or genetically engineered ingredients). Offer vegetarian options.
• TEACH students about healthy food choices and sustainable agriculture through school garden projects and curriculum materials.

 Joanne Henning Tedesco is editor of AzNetNews.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 23, Number 1, February/March 2005.