Save the Children?

This past Monday, Congress blocked rules proposed by the US Department of Agriculture to overhaul the nation’s school lunch program. Apparently, we value our finances over the health of our nation’s children. With childhood obesity climbing at an alarming rate, shouldn’t it be a priority to revitalize school lunches and make them healthier?

Last I checked, pizza was not considered a healthy lunch option. However, Congress’s ruling against the USDA proposal, which would have cut the amount of potatoes served and changed the ways schools received credit for serving vegetables by continuing to count tomato paste on a slice of pizza only if more than a quarter-cup was used, shows that well – pizza can still be considered a vegetable.

I understand the argument of major food companies ConAgra, Coca-Cola, and Del Monte foods – if you change the foods to make them “healthier”, not only will it cost the company more, but children are more likely to throw this newer food away. But, there comes a point when obesity and health risks should supersede the interests of food companies. Not to mention, there are ways to implement healthier, less expensive options that are still delicious – it just requires thinking outside of the junk-food norm.

I suggest checking out the article for yourself, especially if you have any interest in what’s going on between Congress and our school cafeterias.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/us/politics/congress-blocks-new-rules-on-school-lunches.html?_r=1&ref=health