Food Revolution

TV Chef Jamie Oliver shut out of LA school cafeterias
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/01/tv-chef-jamie-oliver-shut-out-of-la-school-cafeterias.html

That article, and this entire concept of a food revolution in today's schools, is so interesting to me. I cannot understand why public schools do not recognize the value that chef Jamie Oliver has to offer to the children in their education system (and their community in general)? Baffling. Of course children, when left to their own devices, are going to choose what tastes good over what doesn't (aka the healthy options) when they are in their hot lunch line. They don't have their parents there, standing over their shoulders, making sure they choose the salad bar instead of the macaroni hot dog surprise or cheese pizza. Of course they are going to want hot lunch everyday instead of a home-packed lunch. Who wouldn't? Of course their health is going to be effected by it. So, why don't these parents care? What ever happened to the days of a sandwich, an apple and a bottle of milk or juice box? Why is it all lunchables, soda and food-packed-with-preservatives-and-msg now? Why is the hot lunch line filled with fried foods? You might as well just send Johnny to McDonald's every day for lunch. A lot of parents (atleast I'd like to think so) wouldn't be willing to take their kids to McDonalds for a happy meal every day of the week but, without realizing it, that's what they are doing.

I understand the school's worry about how their food (and entire education system) will be portrayed on tv, but there is a bigger picture here. Isn't it worth being a little ashamed for the great good of healthy kids? Perspective, people! I believe it is time for the community to step up and be open to changes that will benefit their children's health and mental focus while learning. They wonder why childhood obesity is so prevalent. They wonder why most adults in America have eating and obesity issues. It's all about what you are taught when you are younger about food and nutrition that factor into your opinions about food/health in your adult years. If it wasn't important to you (or your parents) when you're in elementary school, it's probably not going to seem very important when you reach adulthood and start shopping for yourself.

Thank goodness Oregon has already begun taking steps in the right direction with our food in public schools. I remember the day like it was yesterday...in second grade, we got a salad bar option at my elementary school. I was thrilled. Not because it was healthy (not sure I really put 2-and-2 together), but because a salad bar meant I got veggies (which I still love to this day) and it made me feel like an adult. It was such a simple step for the school but meant alot to the parents and the kids. These are the small steps that need to be made if we ever want to get childhood obesity under control.

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thought: I know a lot of parents that make their own baby food and I think it's great. Can't wait to do that with my little babes one day. If you know their baby food isn't good for them, why is it all the sudden okay to feed them the crap they have in the hot lunch line? They are still learning, they are still growing. Where's the line? Just an interesting thought.