LETTER

Back to school food equally important

Posted 9/1/16

To the Editor: With the new school year starting, parents' to-do lists are now filled with shopping for school clothes, school supplies and school food. That's right - school food! In past years, our nation's schools were used by the USDA as a dumping

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LETTER

Back to school food equally important

Posted

To the Editor:

With the new school year starting, parents' to-do lists are now filled with shopping for school clothes, school supplies and school food. That's right – school food!

In past years, our nation's schools were used by the USDA as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities. It is neither a surprise nor coincidence that one-third of our children have become overweight or obese. Such dietary mistakes at an early age become lifelong addictions, raising their risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Then came President Obama's Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, requiring double the servings of fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, less sodium and fat, and no meat for breakfast. The guidelines are supported by 86 percent of Americans.

Most U.S. school districts now offer vegetarian options. More than 120 schools, including the entire school districts of Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia and San Diego, have implemented Meatless Monday. Some schools have dropped meat from their menu altogether.

As parents, we need to involve our own children and school cafeteria managers in promoting healthy, plant-based foods in our own schools. Going online and searching for "vegetarian options in schools" provides lots of good resources.

William Sanford

Westerly

Comments

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  • JohnStark

    Mr. Sanford: If I understand your point, it is that the federal government should have a say in whether Warwick's school children should be allowed to eat meat on Mondays. The cities you cite are government-run hell holes avoided by parents with virtually any alternative. Thanks, but No Thanks.

    Thursday, September 1, 2016 Report this

  • davebarry109

    I knew from the headline that a vegan was going to try and sway the public. The issue is why we are feeding kids breakfast in schools, a parental obligation. Lunch should be available, and MAYBE free to the poorest of kids, but breakfast? Really? Of course Sanford would want a vegan breakfast. No eggs or bacon. Yikes. Does anyone have an agenda free suggestion?

    Friday, September 2, 2016 Report this

  • FASTFREDWARD4

    when I went to school we got nothing for free. This is what happens after so many yrs of FREE. And you want veggie .Please get a life. To much time on your hands.

    Monday, September 5, 2016 Report this