Fed Up With School Lunches

I work in a school, but I bring my lunch every day. For that matter, I bring breakfast and snacks as well. As I'm learning to eat healthier each week, the school food is looking less and less appetizing. Lots of bleached, refined white flours (waffles, pizza, burgers, etc.), the same fruits over and over (fruit cocktail, pineapple chunks, or bananas), the same veggies over and over (green beans, carrots, or corn), and the same conventional dairy and processed meats each day. Nothing organic, nothing natural (besides the small variety of fruits/veggies), and nothing colorful that says WOW! It's no wonder many kids eat very little of what's on their plates.
As for snacks, many teachers have stashes of cookies, candy, chips, and Debbie cakes to serve a few days a week. Occasionally there's popcorn...that's been the healthiest so far.

One teacher (anonymous in Illinois) is taking a stand against unhealthy school lunches by eating the school lunch every day in 2010. She documents her journey at her blog: Fed Up With School Lunch. According to her blog, there are over 60 ingredients in school pizza! Her blog also has other facts and guest bloggers, so don't think it's just about the lunch she eats. I particularly agree with the post and comments for School Lunch Wishlist.

Meatloaf from Fed Up With School Lunch

So why is it important to worry about the meals served at schools? Because our children are there for about 7 hours a day (more if there's after-school stuff). Many eat breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The food habits they form at school will be what sticks with them for years to come. If we're going to fight diseases and obesity, it must start at school.
(Side note: Right now, the average school lunch program gets reimbursed $2.68 when students have "free" lunches. Yet the average lunch costs $2.92. No wonder cafeterias can't afford many more healthy options.)

One thing to help these prepared lunches are school gardens, like the one at Monument Mountain Regional High School. There are also Farm-to-School programs, like this one in Oklahoma, that encourage schools and local farmers to work together to provide healthier meals. If you have a school-age child, you can also help the teacher by giving healthier snacks when they ask for class donations. If you bring in food for parties, think beyond cupcakes.