Comments on: Healthier school food http://foodpluspolitics.com/2007/09/05/healthier-school-food/ Recipes from scratch and a lot of chatter about food ( plus a little about politics ) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:16:15 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: ellaella http://foodpluspolitics.com/2007/09/05/healthier-school-food/#comment-364 ellaella Sat, 15 Sep 2007 14:53:17 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.dreamhosters.com/?p=277#comment-364 Here's a disturbing postscript about the School Dinners program in the UK mentioned uptopic by roads. Nearly half a million kids are refusing to eat the healthier lunches. The story's here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/03/ndinner103.xml Here’s a disturbing postscript about the School Dinners program in the UK mentioned uptopic by roads. Nearly half a million kids are refusing to eat the healthier lunches. The story’s here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/03/ndinner103.xml

]]> By: ellaella http://foodpluspolitics.com/2007/09/05/healthier-school-food/#comment-363 ellaella Sun, 09 Sep 2007 11:04:40 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.dreamhosters.com/?p=277#comment-363 In some ways Bloomberg is paradoxical, at least fo me. He eased up on what was the nation's toughest recycling law --some called it draconian, but I had no trouble complying -- then takes the lead in trans fats and nutrition. This past summer, for the first time, NYC schools provided breakfast for needy children too. Good for him there. I wish the government would tighten the labeling law and get rid of the loophole that allows anything under 1/2g trans fat per serving to be listed as 0 grams. I doubt that will happen. I was somewhat bemused to see a picture from some state fair, in the midwest I think, of a food booth touting Oreos deep-fried in 0 g trans fat oil. But what's in Oreos? Trans fats! Thanks for raising this issue. In some ways Bloomberg is paradoxical, at least fo me. He eased up on what was the nation’s toughest recycling law –some called it draconian, but I had no trouble complying — then takes the lead in trans fats and nutrition.

This past summer, for the first time, NYC schools provided breakfast for needy children too. Good for him there.

I wish the government would tighten the labeling law and get rid of the loophole that allows anything under 1/2g trans fat per serving to be listed as 0 grams. I doubt that will happen. I was somewhat bemused to see a picture from some state fair, in the midwest I think, of a food booth touting Oreos deep-fried in 0 g trans fat oil. But what’s in Oreos? Trans fats!

Thanks for raising this issue.

]]> By: bbmaven http://foodpluspolitics.com/2007/09/05/healthier-school-food/#comment-362 bbmaven Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:26:55 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.dreamhosters.com/?p=277#comment-362 On a related but slightly different note, I think it is interesting and laudable that Mayor Bloomberg banned trans fats in public restaurants in NYC: this progressive position may be a bit more aggressive than the slow momentum we see in the schools. Ironically, at least in my opinion, many people think this is politically liability. We are more than happy to see movement occurring in the public schools, but then we apply a double standard to adult health and food consumption. I am appalled at what passes for "food" in the public schools--to think that children are digesting this stuff and expected not to have health issues at some point in the future is seriously misguided. Similarly, I think the banning of trans fats was probably one of the smartest politically incorrect moves we've seen in a long time. Just wish we could dump political correctness quicker and make real changes for the health and well-being of our future generation. Thanks for the post. On a related but slightly different note, I think it is interesting and laudable that Mayor Bloomberg banned trans fats in public restaurants in NYC: this progressive position may be a bit more aggressive than the slow momentum we see in the schools.

Ironically, at least in my opinion, many people think this is politically liability. We are more than happy to see movement occurring in the public schools, but then we apply a double standard to adult health and food consumption.

I am appalled at what passes for “food” in the public schools–to think that children are digesting this stuff and expected not to have health issues at some point in the future is seriously misguided.

Similarly, I think the banning of trans fats was probably one of the smartest politically incorrect moves we’ve seen in a long time. Just wish we could dump political correctness quicker and make real changes for the health and well-being of our future generation.

Thanks for the post.

]]> By: ellaella http://foodpluspolitics.com/2007/09/05/healthier-school-food/#comment-361 ellaella Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:31:32 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.dreamhosters.com/?p=277#comment-361 Thanks for the information from your side of the pond. This issue gets so much attention here I think we, as a nation, sometimes think we're alone. I am so glad you reminded me about Jamie Oliver's involvement; this, coupled with his restaurant to give disadvantaged young people a chance to work their way up the ladder, showed me what a humanitarian he is. Anyone who'd like to learn about Oliver's School Dinners program can follow this link: http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/J/jamies_school_dinners/index.html Thanks for the information from your side of the pond. This issue gets so much attention here I think we, as a nation, sometimes think we’re alone.

I am so glad you reminded me about Jamie Oliver’s involvement; this, coupled with his restaurant to give disadvantaged young people a chance to work their way up the ladder, showed me what a humanitarian he is.

Anyone who’d like to learn about Oliver’s School Dinners program can follow this link:

http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/J/jamies_school_dinners/index.html

]]> By: Roads http://foodpluspolitics.com/2007/09/05/healthier-school-food/#comment-360 Roads Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:39:35 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.dreamhosters.com/?p=277#comment-360 The school dinners programme faces some problems here in the UK, too. Following a very successful and high-profile national campaign and TV series arguing for improvements in children's nutrition, led by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, Local Education Authorities have belatedly agreed to cut unhealthy fast food items (pizza, chips, burgers) from the menu. Salads, noodles and fresh vegetables are the order of the day - and that's marvellous for the health and future brainpower of our children, and should lead to a big reduction in morbid obesity which has been steadily climbing here as well. The programme is now rolling forwards into its second year. Problem is, though, that a recent study showed that national take-up of school dinners has fallen by one eighth over the past year. Teething problems, maybe. Or basic human nature ? It's hard to tell at this stage, but Mr Oliver and the government will certainly be watching very closely as the next academic year unfolds. The school dinners programme faces some problems here in the UK, too.

Following a very successful and high-profile national campaign and TV series arguing for improvements in children’s nutrition, led by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, Local Education Authorities have belatedly agreed to cut unhealthy fast food items (pizza, chips, burgers) from the menu.

Salads, noodles and fresh vegetables are the order of the day – and that’s marvellous for the health and future brainpower of our children, and should lead to a big reduction in morbid obesity which has been steadily climbing here as well.

The programme is now rolling forwards into its second year.

Problem is, though, that a recent study showed that national take-up of school dinners has fallen by one eighth over the past year.

Teething problems, maybe. Or basic human nature ? It’s hard to tell at this stage, but Mr Oliver and the government will certainly be watching very closely as the next academic year unfolds.

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