What's For Lunch? School Lunch Programs

It's September and the kids are back in school, which brings us to our next topic: School Lunch Programs. Throughout the nation we are seeing the epidemic of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and inactivity in our youth. The health statistics are staggering: Our children are of poor health.

Nationwide there are programs and policies working to address this crisis on the national, state and local levels. However, even with programs in place, school vending machines and stores are not subject to nutritional guideliness put forward by the USDA.

Farm to School programs supply fresh local produce, meats, eggs and honey to schools across 33 states. These programs also allow students to interact with farmers and learn about producing food on a small scale. Farm to School programs can help support the ever-disappearing family farm and support small scale farmers.

As the Farm Bill 2007 enters the Senate for debate, will geographical preference (buying locally produced foods) be allowed for National School Lunch Program subscribers? How can education about healthy food choices change the behaviors of children and teach them to be healthy adults? What kinds of food options are available on campus?