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What childhood images come to mind when you
hear the phrase school lunch? Mystery meats and
scoops of pale produce? Over the years, cafeteria cuisine
has had a bit of a facelift. After all, schools lose money
when kids don’t buy lunch. Today, foods that kids actually
like are standard fare in many lunchrooms. Trouble is, many
are fatty, high in sugar, and devoid of fresh fruits and
vegetables. Some schools even have contracts with companies
that peddle pre-packed snacks, fast food, and soft drinks.
Meanwhile, nutrition education is relegated to the health
curriculum.
But
promising news is brewing. In communities across the
country, teachers, parents, community organizations,
food service leaders, chefs, “lunch ladies,” and farmers
are bringing healthful foods into classrooms, curricula,
and cafeterias. (Not to mention vending machines and
school fundraisers.) Students grow, cook, taste, and
make decisions about fresh food. Once “hooked,” they
become passionate advocates. Some of the best programs
link farms and cafeterias in an effort to nourish healthy
bodies and local food economies. Many are small-scale,
teacher-initiated projects: a schoolyard salad garden,
kids concocting wholesome snacks. Others involve a
variety of stakeholders collaborating to creatively
combat challenges and bring a comprehensive food education
vision to life.
This month’s articles spotlight some of these programs and offer inspiration
and advice from the field. You’ll also find a host of resources to help with
everything from finding funding to planning a school salad bar. Read on.
Featured
Stories and Activities
Homegrown
Lunch - Local farms fuel snacks, fantastic fundraisers,
and learning opportunities.
Good
Things Cooking in North Carolina - A school garden
project grows links with farmers and chefs, and good
nutrition naturally blooms!
Burlington
School Food Project - How one school district is
revolutionizing food service through student-directed
learning projects.
Food
Education Curriculum Serves Up Sensory Lessons -
Multicultural food experiences deliver tangible and delicious
lessons across disciplines.
Warming
Up to Food Education - From soup to nuts: advice
and ideas for getting started.
© 2008
National Gardening Association