School Meals & Snacks
Students at schools within walking distance of fast food outlets more likely to be overweight and eat fewer fruits and vegetables, study of 500,000 California adolescents shows. Eateries serve as hangout and linked to greatly increased consumption of soft drinks. And: Sodas containing high-fructose corn syrup may contribute to development of diabetes, particularly in children (click 'See also').
By Julie Steenhuysen
Reuters 2008-12-24 (entry)
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Public health advocates, pointing to diet-related disease epidemic and record levels of food stamp use, look to skirt paternalism but to link food assistance, school meals to good nutrition. Program that doubles value of food stamps and fruit and vegetable vouchers of low-income mothers, seniors at farmers' markets in San Diego is instant hit - sales soared by more than 200 percent.
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2008-12-24 (entry)
Improving school meals, which provide more than half a student's food, nutrient intake during school day, could slow childhood obesity epidemic, says report for USDA. Students ages 5-18 eat 50 percent or less of vegetables recommended; those 9-18 eat 50 percent of fruit recommended. And: Limiting competitive foods in cafeterias to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat milk, dairy products would aid effort (click 'See also').
By Christopher Doering
Reuters 2008-12-17 (entry)
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If Tom Vilsack confirmed as USDA secretary, Iowa (No. 1 in corn, hogs, ethanol) will have one of its own heading agency that dispenses federal crop subsidies, controls nearly two million acres of Iowa land, regulates state's many slaughterhouses. He's sympathetic to agribusiness giants, supports biofuels, agricultural biotechnology. And: Former governor will oversee $95 billion budget, with bulk going to nutrition - food stamps, school lunches (click 'See also').
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2008-12-16 (entry)
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Obama needs secretary of food, not USDA - to address health care, climate change, energy independence. 'Department of Food' would give primacy to America's 300 million eaters, cut influence of industrial farm lobby, which inflicts unhealthy food on children through school lunches and exacerbates crisis of obesity, diabetes. And: Petition lists terrific reformist candidates (click 'See also').
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2008-12-11 (entry)
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Revolution Foods, created by two business school classmates to address 'huge, gaping unmet needs' in school nutrition options, expands beyond Bay Area to Los Angeles. USDA-reimbursable meals mostly go to charter schools, plus preschools, private schools. Founders' next mission: Bringing those meals to public school districts.
By Sara Stroud
The Mercury News (CA) 2008-11-26 (entry)
Childhood food allergies, and severity, increasing. Researchers blame varied diet that exposes children to fish, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs and soy; increasing rates of childhood obesity; increased consumption of antacids, vitamins; and possibly, underdeveloped immune systems as reaction to a too-clean environment. And: 'Action plans' for food-allergic students used inconsistently in schools (click 'See also').
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay News; U.S. News & World Report 2008-11-10 (entry)
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In Long Island, government pays district $2.57 per free lunch, $2.17 per reduced-price lunch (which usually cost students 25 cents), and 24 cents per full-priced meal. New York pays 5.99 cents for free and full-priced meals, and 19.81 cents for reduced-price meals. School boards dictate meal prices; average price was $1.66. Beyond full-priced meals, major money maker is sale of 'a la carte' items - snacks, or meal alternatives.
By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher
Newsday 2008-10-29 (entry)
With new school meal regulations forecast for 2010, nutritional standards lag about 15 years behind government's dietary guidelines (click 'See also'). Of USDA commodities, Long Island school lunch directors usually pick processed cheese, canned tomato sauce, beef and chicken products and potatoes but wish for more fruits, vegetables.
By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher
Newsday 2008-10-29 (entry)
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Long Island school district wins award for using USDA ingredients in innovative school lunch dishes: feta-cheddar salad, tomato bisque, soft tortillas stuffed with chopped turkey, mozzarella, garlic, celery and carrots. District's board increased lunch prices from $1.60 to $2 last year, and to $2.50 this year to facilitate better food.
By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher
Newsday 2008-10-29 (entry)
Kidney stones a growing problem in children. Main causes are dietary - not drinking enough water, eating too much salt - and sometimes relate to obesity. Physicians cite salty chips, French fries, sports drinks and processed items - sandwich meats, canned soups, packaged meals, sodas. And: As makers of children's cereals cut sugar, they add salt, report says (click 'See also').
By Laurie Tarkan
The New York Times 2008-10-27 (entry)
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We must commit to 'edible education,' by making lunch a mandatory part of curriculum. We need to teach all primary-school students basics of growing, cooking food and then enjoying it at shared meals. That means planting gardens in every primary school, building fully equipped kitchens, training lunchroom ladies who can once again cook, and teach cooking. We should immediately increase school-lunch spending per pupil by $1 a day to underwrite shift to real food freshly prepared.
By Michael Pollan
The New York Times 2008-10-12 (entry)
To progress on health care crisis, energy independence and climate change, new president must wean food system from fossil fuel and return it to diet of sunshine. Next, new policy must strive for healthful diet for all; improve reliance, safety and security of food supply; promote regional food economies; and reframe agriculture as part of solution to environmental problems.
By Michael Pollan
The New York Times 2008-10-12 (entry)
Children eat more fresh fruits and vegetables if schools give them a nudge with repeated exposure through taste-testing, study shows. Successful methods: teacher training with a tested curriculum and parent events; teacher's use of curriculum without parents; and cooperative extension educator teaching in classrooms.
By David Ottalini
University of Maryland 2008-09-08 (entry)
Adding whole grains, fruits and vegetables to elementary school lunches raised academic performance of students over two years and lowered their weight and blood pressure, cardiologist reports. Healthier Options for Public Schoolchildren program (click 'See also') also promotes good nutrition through edible school gardens, assemblies, class activities and with adults as role models.
By Adam Voiland
U.S. News & World Report 2008-10-07 (entry)
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Many school cafeterias in New York state aren't routinely inspected for food safety because of short-staffed health departments, disparity between federal, local laws. Skewing records: Some schools have no kitchen; some inspections aren't recorded. One in five public school cafeterias in Monroe County failed to meet health standards in last two years.
By David Andreatta
Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY) 2008-09-14 (entry)
After school lunch program comes up short by $418,876, veteran bookkeeper negotiates guilty plea, 18-month jail sentence and restitution. New Hampshire school will install new computer, in part, to aid in monitoring cash flow.
By Meg Heckman
Concord Monitor 2008-09-16 (entry)
Study shows nutritional lack in school meals, plus districts' mostly meat, cheese choices in commodities use. Researchers urge: Quick match of school meal nutrition standards with government's Dietary Guidelines; more frequent reviews of more schools; financial incentives for fresh produce choices; infrastructure grants for produce preparation. And: Dietary Guidelines for Americans (click 'See also').
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2008-09-12 (entry)
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Raising good little eaters begins with serving variety of foods. Six strategies: Involve them in cooking, encourage a taste of new foods but remain neutral in face of refusal, stock only healthful foods and give children free access, teach good dietary habits by your own balanced diet, dress up the vegetables, and serve a new food 15 times before concluding the child won't eat it.
By Tara Parker-Pope
The New York Times 2008-09-14 (entry)
Bates College graduate donates $2.5 million to expand alma mater's use of organic, local foods, sparking yearlong initiative on sustainable food. Instead of 22 percent, college will now spend 28 percent of its yearly food budget on such foods. President says donation acknowledges financial cost of doing the right nutritional and ethical thing.
By Peter Schworm
The Boston Globe 2008-09-07 (entry)
In race to be green, colleges try eco-friendly no-tray policy and students with big appetites find heaping helping of complaints. Multiple plates are cumbersome to carry, extra trips for seconds are disruptive, and it takes longer to clear the table. Another school replaces disposable foam trays for plastic containers that can be returned dirty, or replaced for $5.
By Jodi S. Cohen
Chicago Tribune 2008-09-06 (entry)
Considering child's all-day diet helps parents find balance between nutrition nirvana and what will actually be eaten from school lunch box. 'It has to be something they will like, something their friends at the lunch table won't gross out on,' says author. Suggestions: pizza with vegetable toppings, PB&J on oatmeal bread, fruit and yogurt, pasta with vegetables and cheese.
By Betsy Block
National Public Radio/Kitchen Window 2008-09-03 (entry)
Skyrocketing food, fuel prices coupled with home foreclosures push more children into homelessness, poverty and qualify them for subsidized school lunches as states cut school budgets and schools raise lunch prices. Estimates show an additional 283,000 students will be eligible for free lunches this year, in addition to last year's 14.9 million students.
By Sam Dillon
The New York Times 2008-09-01 (entry)
At least 18 states recently have passed laws encouraging schools to use local produce.
Linking local farm produce to school lunches, while more expensive and more work, pays off in better food that more students eat, food service directors say. In turn, better food leads more children to sign up for school lunches, which offsets costs. And school purchases nurture regional agricultural economies.
By Anne Marie Chaker
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-08-28 (entry)
Program linking public schools with 12 Colorado farms will be on display at Democratic National Convention as example of how to cut climate change. Farm to school effort supplies grass-fed ground beef, plus products including milled flour, micro-greens, vegetables and fruit.
By Dale Rodebaugh
The Durango Herald 2008-08-21 (entry)
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Pennsylvania school district buys $30,000 scanning system to identify lunch customers by photographed fingers. Officials say new identification system minimizes stigma associated with reduced-price and free lunches and reduce money-handling, though cash still will be accepted. And: Technology isn't the same as finger-printing (click 'See also').
By Sam Galski
Republican Herald (PA) 2008-08-17 (entry)
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Reporting $1.2 million in prepared food thefts, Virginia school district installs video cameras in cafeterias. Pocketing cookies, eating French fries before reaching the cashier are common, says official. Some parents skeptical about amount lost, citing inaccurate record keeping with their children's accounts; former student says most common theft is using another's account number for purchases.
By Michael Alison Chandler
The Washington Post 2008-08-04 (entry)
As 75 percent of school districts prepare to raise lunch prices to offset rising costs of milk, bread, vegetables, nutrition directors worry that students won't have money to eat and that cafeterias will return to serving cheaper processed fare. Congress asked to to increase assistance and to make meals free for all students.
By James Vaznis
The Boston Globe 2008-07-16 (entry)
Trayless dining, which cuts food waste up to 50 percent and reduces water, energy use, catches on at universities.Then, there's pleasing the students: 79% of the 92,000 students surveyed this spring said they supported move. And: In Maine, colleges also compost, and buy in bulk (click 'See also').
By Bruce Horovitz
USA Today 2008-07-23 (entry)
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New L.A. school chef, looking to please parent groups, the school board and students with food that is healthful, fast and cheap, starts with taste. 'What I'm here to do is to take the culinary and the hospitality world and the nutrition world and merge them. If I can't eat it, I can't serve it.' Among ideas: students' family recipes, dim sum, classroom room service.
By Mary MacVean
Los Angeles Times 2008-06-22 (entry)
Elephant breaks into elementary school pantry in India, and in 45 minutes, consumes enough rice, lentils, potatoes and salt to feed students for a month. Animal also broke 250 eggs. About 250 children attend the school, mainly on the promise of a good meal.
The Telegraph (Calcutta, India) 2008-07-13 (entry)
Loophole allows meat companies to move e.coli-contaminated meat found during processing into the 'cook only' category without telling USDA. Some inspectors say practice conceals higher levels of bacteria in packing plants than the companies admit. School lunch program bought 2.8 million pounds of cooked beef in 2006.
By Stephen J. Hedges
Chicago Tribune; The Seattle Times 2007-11-11 (entry)
School lunch prices for paying students headed up, say 75 percent of nutrition directors surveyed; 62 percent consider job cuts. Extra dime from USDA for each school lunch leaves schools 20 cents short, lunch lady tells Congress. Milk is up 19 percent, bread is up 17 percent, fruits and vegetables are up 13 percent and meat is up 11 percent. Click 'See also' for webcast.
By Greg Toppo
USA Today 2008-07-09 (entry)
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Food, food policy quality suffer as children go from elementary to secondary schools, with vending machines, snack bars, beverage company contracts and 'a la carte' options replacing more healthful options. Study examined food environments in 395 schools in 38 states.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2008-07-07 (entry)
French chef shops for ingredients, then prepares lunch for about 800 students using no-waste practices - for $3 per student, per day. Such programs have helped France curb childhood obesity rates, studies show. Investing in students' well-being is act of citizenship, and will cost country's health care system less in future, chef says.
By Eleanor Beardsley
National Public Radio 2008-07-02 (entry)
Debate over elementary-, middle-school lunch/snack restrictions halts vote for Illinois education board. The rules aim to curb obesity and encourage good choices; critics say that school districts should be in charge of such decisions.
By Adriana Colindres
GateHouse News Service; Journal Star (Ill.) 2008-06-19 (entry)
After operating three years in the red, Washington state school district outsources baking of bread and pizzas and eliminates nine baking positions to cut food costs. As hours drop, employees are required to pay more for health benefits.
By Isolde Raftery
The Columbian (WA) 2008-06-16 (entry)
After four months of research and lessons on civic engagement, elementary students persuade principal to change school lunch policy that left them only 10 minutes to eat and no time to visit. As part of federally funded effort, children also met with lunchroom staff and classmates and presented their findings to crowd of teachers and parents.
By Linda Borg
The Providence-Journal (RI) 2008-05-27 (entry)
Awareness, targeted actions could be creating plateau in rates of childhood obesity, but researchers can't be sure. Real question is whether 25-year obesity trend can be reversed, says researcher. 'The rates of obesity in children are so hugely high that without any further increases, the impact of this epidemic will be felt with increasing severity for many years to come.'
By Tara Parker-Pope
The New York Times 2008-05-27 (entry)
To cut costs, school lunch ladies buy in bulk, make their own salad dressings, nix packaged desserts in favor of seasonal fruits, reduce some portion sizes, consider increasing prices for lunch and 'a la carte' items and consider decreasing labor. Schools with more free or reduced lunch students fare better; they get 23 cents toward each paid lunch, $2.07 for each reduced lunch and $2.47 for each free lunch.
By Desiree Hunter
The Associated Press 2008-05-23 (entry)
Motivated by bad publicity, tougher regulation and costly lawsuits, food companies reduce child-targeted ads for their packaged and processed products and reduce serving sizes for products. Milk sales doubled after McDonald's repackaged milk into brightly decorated plastic jugs. Many schools remain prime settings for introducing their products to children.
By Susan Levine and Lori Aratani
The Washington Post 2008-05-22 (entry)
To pack a power lunch for kids, start with real ingredients and whole grains, and don't skimp on presentation, says Chicago chef, restaurateur and cookbook author. She sends her son the makings of pizza (he has use of a microwave at school), adds wheat berries to any salad, and turns a sandwich into a kebab on toothpicks.
By Bonnie S. Benwick
The Washington Post 2008-05-21 (entry)
Schools' newly healthful meals thwarted by parents who send oversized bags of chips in lunch boxes, fight bans on cupcakes and object to measuring students' body mass index. And schools undercut their efforts by selling fries, doughnuts and other 'a la carte' items and allowing vending machines. For series, Young Lives at Risk: Our Overweight Children, click 'See also.'
By Lori Aratani
The Washington Post 2008-05-21 (entry)
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High-fructose corn syrup off the ingredients list for dairy that supplies milk - plain and flavored - to about 100 school districts throughout Southern California. Syrup will be replaced by Hawaiian cane sugar and will reduce grams of sugar from 25 to 20.
By Josh Dulaney
Daily Bulletin (CA) 2008-05-09 (entry)
Cooperative of farmers, ranchers, with $88,000 USDA grant, aims to reduce obstacles of getting local products onto school lunch trays. Co-op will act as order/collection/distribution center for up to 60 growers. Growers will be the sole shareholders; if project succeeds, it could be used as model. One ranch already sells kiwis at a loss because kids' response so encouraging; will join in hopes of turning a profit.
By Natalie Ragus
The Lompoc Record 2008-04-30 (entry)
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School lunch program, an already low-budget effort of mostly processed foods, struggles anew with increases in dairy and refined carbohydrate prices and relies on USDA's surplus meat and cheese. Reformers want Congress to provide more than $2.47 per lunch, and to make produce as cheap and easy to buy as tater tots.
By Greg Toppo
USA Today 2007-05-01 (entry)
Peter Haley/The News Tribune
Washington state's grants are modeled on a USDA program that provides produce and nutrition lessons to poor schools, including Pioneer Elementary, in Auburn.
Success of $570,000 in new grants that require Washington-grown produce for schools will hinge on distribution, price and devotion. In Olympia, parents led 2002 effort for local produce; food service director made commitment to farmers, and now all 18 schools participate.
By Susan Gordon
The News Tribune (WA) 2008-04-28 (entry)
Budget cuts doom program to provide free morning meals to Florida children attending schools where many students come from low-income households. The universal breakfast plan could have cost the state an estimated $9 million to $11 million annually.
By Dwayne Robinson
The Palm Beach Post 2008-04-23 (entry)
Applications for free and reduced-price lunch increase as income drops. In Kansas City area, one in six now qualify, up from one in 10 eight years ago, with every school district showing increase in enrollment. To participate, a family's income must be below the poverty level or at about $37,000 for a family of four.
By Jennifer Bhargava
The Kansas City Star 2008-04-15 (entry)
As prices for cattle, grain and dairy go up, New Jersey school food service director anticipates budget pinch in fall. Meanwhile, he finds better prices on fresh, not packaged foods, and eliminates packaged snacks in favor of more commodities: chicken nuggets, cheese and beans. State's new maximum prices for lunch: $2.75 in elementary school, $3 in middle school and $3.25 in high school.
By Diane D'Amico
The Press (NJ) 2008-04-21 (entry)
Maryland legislators embrace farm-to-school bill that will provide nutritious fare, boost local farmers and trim fuel costs for long-distance shipping. 'I've seen kids get excited about beets and turnips and radishes because they pulled it out of the ground,' says coordinator. 'But if you hand a kid a beet and say, 'Eat this, it's good for you,' they say, 'Eww'.'
By Kristen Wyatt
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2008-04-21 (entry)
South Dakota expands participation in USDA's school lunch fruit and vegetable program. The program, awarded by grant, offers priority to schools with 50 percent or more students receiving free or reduced-price meals.
By Megan Myers
Argus Leader (SD) 2008-04-02 (entry)
Citing love for their jobs, Alabama town's school lunch ladies repeat request for pay that, at minimum, meets 'basic needs' but superintendent says budget doesn't allow a raise. The workers prepare food and clean cafeterias during the school year but are paid over 12 months. Pay begins at between $8.77 and $11.77 per hour and is determined by the average number of meals served per hour.
By Steve Campbell
The Huntsville Times 2008-04-18 (entry)
Iowa parents push for more healthful fare for children's school lunch trays. They want more organic and local foods, fewer processed meats and fewer processed sweets. Food service director calls for 'reality check,' and predicts $4 or $5 lunches. But Washington state district chose to drop desserts and pay for organics with the savings.
By Erin Jordan
The Des Moines Register 2008-04-18 (entry)
Wisconsin middle schoolers' lunch boycott extends to third week and expands to lower grades. Lunches served drop from 250 to less than 50; principal warns children of financial impact. Children's complaints include inadequate quantities prepared, poorly cooked food, poor quality of food, portion sizes and food appearance.
By Dorothy Jasperson
Westby Times (WI) 2008-04-16 (entry)
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Ever-rising prices of milk and grain-based products push schools into budget-mindedness - picking orange segments over grapes, for instance - and price hikes. A North Carolina district restores Yoo-hoo (36-cent profit on each sale) and full-fat cookies to menu (click 'See also). USDA reimburses $2.47 per free meal, up from $2.40 last year. In same time, milk prices went up 17 percent, bread nearly 12 percent.
By Maria Glod
The Washington Post 2008-04-14 (entry)
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Chef's old-fashioned, made-from-scratch cooking - salmon in panko crumbs, leek and potato soup, local fruits and vegetables - has made a Boston-area school lunch program self-supporting. In 10 years, sales have increased from $131,000 to $565,000 in the 1,300-student school system.
By Cindy Cantrell
The Boston Globe 2008-04-13 (entry)
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School battles students' disappointment and moans when they hire from-scratch food company that buys from local farmers and switches menus with the seasons, but the food won them over. It's important, says 10th-grader, to distinguish between junk food and food that's closer to home-cooked meals. 'It feels better to put healthy food into my system.'
By Emilie Doolittle
The Mercury News (CA) 2008-04-10 (entry)
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South Carolina legislature kills bill that would have banned soft drinks, high-fat foods and minimally nutritious snacks from school lunches and campus vending machines. Sticking point was money: Some schools make as much as $70,000 annually from vending machine sales; refreshment stand fare sold at five home games made another school $13,000.
By Gina Smith
The State (SC) 2008-04-09 (entry)
To change school lunches, reformers must build coalition that links child nutrition to agriculture, food policy, and social welfare, says Susan Levine, author on new book that explores National School Lunch Program. The endurance of this social welfare program, she says, hints at central role of food policy in shaping American health, welfare and equality.
Newswise 2008-04-08 (entry)
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Elementary school students became obese at half the rate of other children when intensive nutrition education program was implemented, Philadelphia study shows. Researchers replaced sodas with fruit juice, changed cafeteria fare, scaled back snacks, awarded raffle tickets for wise food choices and spent hours teaching kids, their parents and teachers about good nutrition - successfully subbing fruit salad for the typical bake sale.
By Stephanie Nano
The Associated Press; The Inquirer (PA) 2008-04-07 (entry)
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Eating 'a la carte' items rather than school lunch decreased students' performance on standardized test in Michigan. Researcher blames less nutritious choices provided by food service contractors. Study also shows that once contracting fees were added, privatizing school lunches saved little or no money.
By Bernie DeGroat
University of Michigan 2008-03-20 (entry)
With Tennessee children ranking fourth-highest in obesity rates, legislature contemplates farm-to-school bill that would reduce red tape for local purchasing. 'All it takes is a child nutrition director and a farmer,' says advocate. But some school nutrition directors are reluctant. 'We're very satisfied with the program we have now,' says one school official of the mostly 'pre-prepared' lunches.
By Jennifer Justus
The Tennessean 2008-03-31 (entry)
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Twice yearly school cafeteria inspections are required of those participating in USDA National School Lunch Program, but only 16 percent of the schools in Contra Costa have received them. It's time for county health officials to take responsibility for putting those safeguards into place, and work with schools to determine who pays.
The editors
Contra Costa Times (CA) 2008-04-01 (entry)
Enhanced learning is benefit to good diet in childhood, study finds. In test of 5,000 fifth-graders in Nova Scotia, students with an increased fruit and vegetable intake and lower fat intake were less likely to fail a standardized test. Findings back broader implementation and investment in effective school nutrition programs, authors say.
By Lorraine Heller
Food Navigator 2008-03-26 (entry)
Chicken from Georgia, breadsticks from the Midwest, and hamburger from all over? Far-flung school lunch supply chain draws scrutiny after nation's largest beef recall and heightens interest in feeding Oregon's children food grown closer to home. Award-winning chef hired by state to link local farm fare to schools, though state doesn't fund school lunches.
By Maya Blackmun
The Oregonian 2008-03-29 (entry)
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School lunch ladies, parents' group in Massachusetts oppose takeover of lunches by Aramark, Whitsons, or Chartwells, saying it will cut jobs and lower food quality and service for Money loss problems began, they say, when officials replaced snack bar with vending machines. Parents' group cits Cambridge schools for its use of grants and farm-to-school programs.
By Amanda McGregor
The Salem News (MA) 2008-03-24 (entry)
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Under pressure, USDA releases list of all school districts (click 'See also') that received tainted beef from nation's largest recall. Inclusion of district doesn't mean that all schools received the meat over two-year recall. Lawmaker promises legislation to force USDA to release list of retail stores that received recalled beef, too.
The Associated Press; The New York Times 2008-03-28 (entry)
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With many foods for school lunches gathered and shipped from around the country, rising fuel prices are pushing school lunch prices up, nutrition directors warn. Then there are the food prices: flour prices, for example, have tripled in a year. In cost-cutting measure, schools consider using frozen fruits and vegetables in place of fresh produce.
By Stacie N. Galang
The Salem News (MA) 2008-03-24 (entry)
Junk food ban at California school creates lucrative black market in Skittles, Snickers and Twinkies, with contraband in back packs, wads of cash stuffed in pockets and class disrupted to make a sale.
By Rachel Byrd
Victorville Daily Press (CA) 2008-03-20 (entry)
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National Farm-to-School Program has grown to 2,000 programs in 39 states as farmers, educators and parents see benefits, though logistics can be onerous. Food service director contacts farmers regularly, teachers integrate foods into curriculum, students tend edible gardens and taste-test. Food on lunch trays underscores the message.
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald
USA Today 2008-03-24 (entry)
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Idaho politicians urge higher standards for foods, drinks sold in schools and in vending machines on campus, and want schools to report on their progress. The House resolution takes aim at childhood obesity, diabetes and higher health care costs. Critic complains of meddling and predicts a day when strangers invade home kitchens, 'telling you what to feed your kid.'
The Associated Press; Idaho Statesman 2008-03-10 (entry)
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Under threat of losing lunch funding and reimbursements, Massachusetts school district adds three supervisors to lead upgrades in quality and nutritional value of foods, menu planning and meal presentation, cleanliness of cafeterias, worker productivity and tracking customers of free and reduced-price lunches.
By Will Richmond
GateHouse News Service; The Herald-News (MA) 2008-03-16 (entry)
USDA seeks information on successes in farm-to-school initiatives, as well as barriers or difficulties to such programs for report it owes Congress. Director cites cooperative purchasing, local foods advocates and nutrition education as components of success; distribution and transportation as inhibitors.
By Cynthia A. Long
USDA Food and Nutrition Service 2008-03-07 (entry)
Tennessee school district waits for reimbursement after replacing recalled beef distributed through the USDA National School Lunch Program to feed children. Meanwhile, its school board adds $502,500 to child nutrition budget to cover hike in food costs and increased enrollment.
By John I. Carney
Times-Gazette (TN) 2008-03-15 (entry)
Once pastry chef at Virginia's Inn at Little Washington, Jenna Ortner looks at school lunches and finds a calling. Now a 'lunch lady,' she serves locally grown produce to an even pickier clientele. Students were prepped by teacher who explained that food is fuel, and how fortunate they are to have a real chef; orders for the $3 fresh lunches are brisk.
By Lisa Leff
The Associated Press; USA Today 2008-03-09 (entry)
Sick cows were killed illegally at Hallmark/Westland slaughterhouse, company executive tells Congress after he views the Humane Society video that filmed workers forcing 'downer' cows onto their feet for killing. Video led to nation's largest meat recall. A portion was sent to schools as part of the USDA's National School Lunch Program.
By Erica Werner
The Associated Press; The Herald (CA) 2008-03-12 (entry)
Washington state passes 'Local Farms - Healthy Kids' bill, reducing obstacles for schools to buy locally grown food and supporting farmers at the same time. The law also will provide technical assistance for new programs.
Washington State Legislature 2008-03-11 (entry)
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Children shouldn't have to pay the price for adults who don't pay for them to eat lunch at school, and schools' solution of feeding those children 'snack' lunches stigmatizes them. Better outreach is needed to enroll those who qualify for federally subsidized program. Strategies also are needed to help those who barely miss the mark, and to solve the $1.5 million deficit created by non-payments over the last four years at North Carolina district.
The editors
The Charlotte Observer (NC) 2008-03-10 (entry)
Problems with meat don't stem from one slaughterhouse, but beef recall is chance to re-think school lunch. The USDA buys millions of pounds of surplus beef, pork, chicken and other high-fat meat products to distribute to schools, and not enough fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods. Report predicts that by 2010, nearly half our children will be overweight or obese. As diet-related disease takes hold, they run risk of being the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
By Roberta S. Gray, M.D.
The Sun (CA) 2008-02-26 (entry)
Delays on tainted beef recall updates kept school lunch workers in the dark for days, and has led to questions on whether the federal government's alert system is adequate to keep unsafe food off cafeteria lines. In Texas, one school district waited 12 days for complete recall information.
By Greg Toppo
USA Today 2008-03-04 (entry)
After food suppliers hit North Carolina school district with price hikes for bread and other products in January and February, district raises prices of school lunch by 25 cents.
By Cami Marshall
WFMY News 2 (NC) 2008-03-05 (entry)
USDA can't say how many schools are affected by Hallmark/Westland beef recall and can't account for about 10 percent of total. More than half of suspect meat became meatballs, patties and other items, or was mixed with other products and classified by type, not manufacturer. Recall, which has affected 45 states and D.C. schools, adds to perception that school meals are inferior, lunch lady says. Meanwhile, parents worry.
By Jane Zhang
The Wall Street Journal (may require subscription) 2008-03-05 (entry)
Contradicting USDA's assurances that Hallmark/Westland recall was 'isolated incident,' documents show problems with food safety in children's school lunches since at least 2003. School-lunch administrators and inspectors cited for weak food-safety standards, poor safeguards against e.coli and salmonella, and choosing vendors with food-safety violations (Hallmark/Westland has string of citations going back at least 10 years).
By Elizabeth Williamson
The Wall Street Journal 2008-03-03 (entry)
Mark Fiore, an animated editorial cartoonist, links juicy burgers with industrial agriculture, slaughterhouse safety, school lunches and fast-food outlets in 'Doreen the Downer.'
Mark Fiore
markfiore.com; The Ethicurean 2008-02-21 (entry)
Congress must resist the USDA's undermining of the farm-to-school program. This local food initiative helps children develop eating habits that defend against diet-related disease. It supports all farmers, not just those who grow fruits and vegetables. The farm/food bill panel needs to respond to communities and schools with innovation in food purchasing programs 'to the maximum extent possible.'
By Senator Ginny Lyons
The Times Argus (VT) 2008-03-02 (entry)
Hillary Clinton says her administration would create a food safety net and give poor children 'greater access to healthy, fresh food.' She would launch effort to get junk food out of schools, and require schools to offer only food that meets or exceeds USDA standards. She would sign up more people for food stamps and expand benefits. The program would be paid for by toughening tax enforcement.
By Mike Glover
The Associated Press; The Guardian (UK) 2008-02-28 (entry)
School lunch ladies (and men) gather to discuss lobbying goals, including funding for nutrition, requiring all foods sold at school to meet dietary guidelines, uniformity of nutrient standards, and giving USDA authority to regulate and enforce food and drink sales outside cafeteria. School lunch reimbursement is $2.47, less than a latte, says spokesperson.
By Erik Peterson
School Nutrition Association 2008-02-28 (entry)
Some students go hungry rather than face shame of separate lines for subsidized lunches. Two-tier system is mostly caused by USDA prohibition against selling food of minimal nutritional value in same place as subsidized meals. 'A la carte" items - pizza, turkey sandwiches, Caesar salad wraps, cookies - are sold, separately, to paying students. The National School Lunch Act prohibits segregating, 'or any overt identification of any child.'
By Carol Pogash
The New York Times 2008-03-01 (entry)
Nearly 160 New Jersey school districts and some individual schools are listed as recipients of suspect beef from the USDA school lunch program. Products included taco meat, cooked beef patties, frozen steaks, meatballs and beef barbecue nuggets and were shipped from two Pennsylvania companies and one in Ohio. Schools given until March 12 to submit verification of destruction, either on-site, or at landfill or incinerator.
State of New Jersey Department of Agriculture 2008-02-25 (entry)
See also
Tony Auth/The Philadelphia Inquirer
Tony Auth, editorial cartoonist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, on the Hallmark/Westland beef recall and school lunches.
2008-02-19 (entry)
Concerned about childhood diabetes and obesity, California school district weans itself from USDA's frozen beef patties and plastic-wrapped cheese. It now makes lunch from scratch every day for all children who want it in the 9,000-student district. District has supplemented its federal lunch funds with $1 million from its annual $100 million budget.
By Victoria Kim and Janet Wilson
Los Angeles Times 2008-02-24 (entry)
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USDA's bulk buys of ground beef and other meats from lowest bidders leave school lunch directors with no choice but to trust. But in a 1996 study on E. coli, researchers found that a single lot of beef at a large-scale commercial meat packer came from up to 11 sources in four states; in another case, meat possibly tied to a large, 1993 E. coli outbreak came from up to 443 animals from six states through five slaughterhouses.
By Victoria Kim and Janet Wilson
Los Angeles Times 2008-02-24 (entry)
Financial troubles likely to permanently close slaughterhouse caught in sick cow abuse video that triggered nation's largest beef recall. Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing, one of 10 companies that supply beef for school lunches, received $39 million from USDA in the last fiscal year as part of the program. Sick, or 'downer' cows may not be eaten because of link to mad cow disease, a fatal illness that takes up to 30 years to appear in humans.
By David Kesmodel
The Wall Street Journal (may require subscription) 2008-02-23 (entry)
On-campus stores that sold snacks and other goods at six New Jersey high schools close after Sodexho, school lunch provider, told district they were operating during lunch hours - a violation of 'no compete' law. District also cites NJ Model School Nutrition Policy. Sodexho provides lunch in 72 school districts in state; stores were operated by parent-teacher-student organizations.
By Keith Ruscitti
Asbury Park Press 2008-01-30 (entry)
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Soaring food and fuel prices hit Sodexho-administered school lunch program in Florida. Parents told to expect price hike in both hot lunches, currently $1.50 to $1.75, and a la carte items for the 2008-09 school year. Sodexho's distributor, U.S. Foodservice, is estimating a 10 to 12 percent hike in overall food costs. USDA historically has increased reimbursement by 4 percent a year.
By Anne Spencer
Jackson County Floridan 2008-02-19 (entry)
Parents look to stop Massachusetts school from soliciting proposals from outside school lunch providers. They cite concern over diminished food quality and an appreciation for 'lunch ladies' who care. Lunch program has run a deficit for years and has spent $125,000 more than it has taken in this year.
By Amanda McGregor
The Salem News (MA) 2008-02-21 (entry)
California advises schools to destroy some suspect beef after recall; state education office will refund cost. National School Lunch Program participants can pay as little as 10 cents per pound of USDA subsidized beef, with outside beef suppliers charging about $2 per pound. Some schools drop beef and buy chicken, turkey and cheese, hoping for reimbursement.
By Fermin Leal and Scott Martindale
The Orange County Register 2008-02-19 (entry)
Hallmark/Westland Meat Company recalls 143,383,823 pounds of raw and frozen beef delivered to National School Lunch Program, Emergency Food Assistance
Program and the Food Assistance Program on Indian Reservations. Recall spans two-year period and was spurred by Humane Society video that showed slaughterhouse workers abusing sick cows.
USDA 2008-02-17 (entry)
Manager at slaughterhouse that supplied school lunch program faces felony charges of cruelty to animals after video shows torture of ailing cows. 'Downer' cows are prohibited from human food chain since failure to stand can be symptom of mad cow disease; schools nationwide pulled beef from lunch menus. USDA has launched investigation, but some members of Congress call for school food safety probe as well.
By Victoria Kim
Los Angeles Times 2008-02-15 (entry)
Delicious, nutritious school lunches and stemming money loss are reasons for switching from in-house program to lunch contractor, Washington, D.C., school chancellor says. One reason existing program lost $30 million in three years is because students won't buy bad-tasting food; another is that the District hasn't filed for federal reimbursement on free and reduced-price meals.
By V. Dion Haynes
The Washington Post 2008-02-15 (entry)
Citing video showing workers abusing sick cows at slaughterhouse that supplied school lunch program, lawmakers question whether government can protect students from dangerous foods. They call for independent investigation, saying that USDA has repeatedly failed to deliver timely information about food safety issues to schools and to parents.
By Victoria Kim
Los Angeles Times 2008-02-14 (entry)
Energetic dietitian takes on fruit-vegetable scarcity at Los Angeles public schools. She works with principals on logistics of crowded cafeterias and short lunchtimes; she introduces new foods through classroom cooking, math and science lessons so foods aren't unfamiliar when they appear at lunch. She's installed 60 salad bars - but who's counting?
By Patti Neighmond
National Public Radio 2008-02-14 (entry)
Maryland considers farm-to-school program that includes a home-grown school lunch week, local farm trips and student-farmer interactions. Bill would require state to create database of farmers who want to sell produce to schools.
By Anne Wozniak
abc2news.com 2008-02-12 (entry)
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New Mexico legislation would help fund farm-to-school link and put more fresh, local foods on children's lunch trays; facilitate food distribution system for low-income and rural communities; and help fund farmers' market purchases by low-income seniors.
By Staci Matlock
The New Mexican 2008-01-31 (entry)
Schools scramble to find suspect beef destined for children's lunches after video caught workers torturing ailing cows to force them onto their feet for slaughter. Downer cows - those too weak to walk - are prohibited from human food chain; slaughterhouse supplied USDA's school lunch program.
By Victoria Kim
Los Angeles Times 2008-02-03 (entry)
With 85 cents budgeted for each lunch at Oregon schools and dicey logistics of perishable fresh foods, cheap high-fat ground beef and chicken parts often star. Nationally, beef makes up 40 percent of the federal commodity purchases for school lunches, more than purchase of fruits and vegetables combined. Outdated federal rules require high calorie count, which favors processed products over fruits and vegetables, nutritionists say.
By Scott Learn and Betsy Hammond
The Oregonian 2008-02-03 (entry)
Supplier of meat to USDA National School Lunch Program suspended indefinitely after video shows Westland Meat Company workers repeatedly kicking possibly ailing cows and ramming them with forklift blades. Downed cows are prohibited from the human food chain; member of Congress threatens hearing on using school lunch program as dumping ground.
By Brian Hartman
ABC News 2008-01-30 (entry)
See also
For documentary film maker, 'Two Angry Moms' grew from her interest in sustainability, food politics and integrative nutrition, as well as her marriage to French man and his family's obsession with food, the couple's launching of the first certified organic poultry operation on the East Coast and working with Chef Ann Cooper, Renegade Lunch Lady.
By Amy Kalafa
The Huffington Post 2008-01-04 (entry)
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At less than half the dining room size mandated for its enrollment, cafeteria crunch for 915 middle-schoolers leaves some students eating too early, others eating too late and most if not all eating too quickly, administrators say as they lobby for $34.3 million construction project for their Arkansas school district.
By John Anderson
The Baxter Bulletin (AR) 2008-01-24 (entry)
In bid to keep students on campus for lunch and reduce afternoon absences that sometimes follow, Colorado high school installs full-meal vending machine and engineers text-messaging system for ordering restaurant meals for delivery by student volunteers.
By Vanessa Miller
Daily Camera (CO) 2008-01-22 (entry)
After complaints to school board result in no action, Baltimore area middle-school students draw up Cafeteria Bill of Rights, demanding fresh fruits and vegetables at district's 57 schools that serve "pre-plate" food. Committee also asks that each school have its own cafeteria and kitchen staff. But officials face $50 million in cuts.
By Sara Neufeld
The Baltimore Sun 2008-01-19 (entry)
On road to better school lunches, grant helps Mississippi school districts buy fruit and vegetable slicers, and funds combi-ovens as alternative to fryers. Already, schools have eliminated sugary snacks and drinks. Next up: minimum PE time and wellness plans
By Rebecca Helmes
The Clarion-Ledger (MS) 2008-01-15 (entry)
Parents owe school districts about $60,000 for school lunches in three South Carolina counties. Officials hope that new computer system that accepts advance payments will solve cash-flow problem and reduce need to send notes home, withhold report cards or use collection agency.
By Octavia Mitchell
WCBD-TV (SC) 2008-01-09 (entry)
Alarmed at his children's school lunches, nationally acclaimed chef leaves glamor behind to make public school lunches nutritious and delicious in Minnesota. Now he is drawing a bead on tater tots, winning pint-size customers over with roasted rosemary potatoes, and recommending power breakfasts of yogurt, fruit and peanut butter on toast.
By Kim Ode
Star-Tribune (MN) (may require registration) 2008-01-06 (entry)
Feeding needy students is part of National School Lunch Program, but study shows system is poorly monitored. The $8.2 billion program requires an eligibility form for free or reduced-price lunches, but conservatives suspect light scrutiny, since school funding is linked to poverty rates, and liberals suggest that reform would leave children hungry.
By Naush Boghossian and Lisa Friedman
Los Angeles Daily News 2007-12-26 (entry)
Boston-area public school with 5,000 students adds new kitchens and cafeterias, a food services director with an interest in health and wellness, and now, a chef. Her first goal is adding fresh produce, whole grains, and colorful entrees to cafeteria meals - without losing customers or raising prices.
By Eric Moskowitz
The Boston Globe 2007-12-30 (entry)
North Carolina schools record children's food choices so parents can track cookies, brownies and ice cream they buy, but cafeterias won't halt sales of processed foods. With no local funds for school lunches and costs rising, nutrition director says those sales keep cafeterias from going broke.
By Teri Walley
The Charlotte Observer 2008-01-03 (entry)
Democrats' concerns about federal preemption of stricter state standards and Republicans' worries about restrictions on snack foods played into Senate's abandonment of amendment to its farm/food bill that would have limited processed, packaged snacks in public schools.
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2007-12-15 (entry)
