California Launches Federal Program So Kids Will Eat More Fruit and Veggies
Photograph from whirledkid on Flickr
Twenty-five California schools will participate in a federal program called the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program, the goal of which is to get kids to try spinach, cabbage, and other scary good-for-you stuff from the ground.
For a school to be eligible, at least half the students must qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, according to the Los Angeles Times. The program first launched in 2002 with 25 schools in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, as well as a Zuni reservation in New Mexico. Said one 10-year old from a participating Santa Monica school: "Not to brag or anything, but I've always been pretty good about my fruits."
Alice Waters's vision for the state is spreading, since this can only mean more schoolyard gardens, more salad bars, and less fruit snacks.
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6 Comments:
while this sounds great in theory, i have to wonder if it will do anygood in practice. Its alot easier for parents to throw a bag of potato chips at their kids than to cut up some carrots or other healthy snack, not to mention the expense involved. Sorry but unless the adults get behind this I see it as another waste of tax money
huneybumper at 3:26PM on 11/04/08
either those are some tiny kids, or those are some huuuuuuuuuuuge beans!
anysuchname at 3:41PM on 11/04/08
@huneybumper - But if parents aren't stepping up to introduce kids to fresh food, because they don't have the time, the knowledge, or the resources to do so, the only other place they could possibly learn is in the schools. A kid shouldn't be doomed to a life of poor nutrition because his/her parents don't advocate or understand it.
producestories at 3:50PM on 11/04/08
Adults will have get involved but this program could not be more important. All the nonsense going into kids bodies nowadays. So many kids don't even know what a quality meal is. Plus if they're doing classroom gardens, etc., the parents don't have to "expense" fresh food- the kids can go out and grab something from the ground or tree. Although they shouldn't have an issue with spending an extra dollar for their children's well being. Slow down, as someone wise once told me- the more time you take the more time you have.
jdotsmith at 4:33PM on 11/04/08
I have to say, this makes me VERY excited and happy. I am a huge advocate of healthy school breakfast and lunch programs and once I graduate from college I hope to work in public policy to help with the reform.
@huneybumper--while I understand your legitimate concern, it is just that lack of enthusiasm from parents that is fueling programs like this.
I have a friend that is teaching at a very poor elementary school in Boston and she always comes to me with awful stories about the lunches that the school provides (and most of the kids are on reduced lunch programs so they aren't bringing bagged lunches). A few weeks ago they had fresh bananas during lunch and she couldn't even describe to me the excitement the kids had towards this fresh fruit--they were devouring it!
I think we all need to realize that some families just don't have the resources or knowledge to feed their kids great food. If the kids are getting the education then they will be able to bring home their newfound love for FRESH delicious food!
veggieout at 4:37PM on 11/04/08
I agree this is a great program, but will these children appreciate fresh healthy food enough to "nag" there parents into it? or will they get revert to prefab when wholesome fresh food isnt just handed to them? I would love to think they will all go out of their way to continue healthy eating after they leave this school program, I just have some serious doubts. I would love to see a program that takes the adults in these families and teaches them as well as their children, not only to appreciate good food, but also how to budget for it, shop and prepare it. I'm not arguing with anyone, and i love the idea of the program, I just wish it would encompass the entire family, because in my opinion, thats the best way to change.
huneybumper at 7:53PM on 11/04/08