Organizations For Improving School Lunches In California

Nearly one-third of all American children are classified as obese as of 2010. U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama implemented the Let's Move! campaign designed to combat the childhood obesity epidemic plaguing American children. The program's mission is to educate both children and schools about activity and nutrition and reduce the impacts of obesity in future children. In California, the number of needy children coupled with a lack of nutritious lunches has been a problem; however, certain programs are working to improve the public school meal system.

History

Feeding America's youth within the school systems began in the 19th century. In 1853, the Children's Aid Society of New York provided children in need with meals when they were enrolled in a vocational school program. Similar programs started and stopped across the country, including a program in Los Angeles, California. Developed in 1918, the city's Board of Education sponsored a program to feed lunch and snacks to needy children in nearly 50 schools to meet their nutrition needs. Programs such as these gave way to the National School Lunch Program, which Congress approved in 1949.

Significance

The National School Lunch Program directly impacts California's needy students. The in-school lunches provided to children are often the only meals they eat all day. For years, however, the school lunch program provided food basics, which were not the most nutritious of menu items. Pizza, chicken tenders and French fries took residence in the cafeteria. As of 2010, school lunch programs throughout California are designed to improve students' overall nutrition, which, in turn, should lead to longer and healthier lives.

Types

California Healthy School Lunch Resolution and Project Healthy Beginnings have implemented legislation to serve healthier school menu items to children. The California State Superintendent of Public Instruction has called on California's governor to publicize nutrition information for meals prepared for students. These programs recommend healthy swaps in the cafeteria. For example, apple slices in lieu of potato chips or grilled chicken sandwiches rather than fried ones are all simple swaps many California public school cafeterias have made as a result of these findings.

Prevention/Solution

The best way to prevent unhealthy eating in California's schools is to educate parents, teachers, staff and cafeteria workers. Schools should engage in plans with nutritionists and local food producers and farmers to provide healthy local food for their students, no matter their families' income level. The Organic Consumers Association's Organic School Lunch Program engages and educates California students about ood and how it is prepared. Utilizing products from local farmers, children take an active role in the nutrition process. In addition, many schools set up gardens to encourage consumption of fresh, homegrown produce.

Expert Insight

With nationwide childhood obesity, particularly in California, on the rise, experts have weighed in on the long-term effects of nutrition in America's schools. President Barack Obama signed a memorandum in February 2010 to establish a task force for childhood obesity in America. One of the missions of this task force is to improve lunches in America's schools. Californians also are making strides to improve the nutrition of their youth.