The superintendent of the Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Hardy Murphy, admonished parents in a “Happy Thanksgiving” letter to practice good nutrition and healthy eating and told what the district is planning to do to help make that happen.
“The district will be implementing fruit and vegetable carts at our schools beginning in January,” Murphy wrote.
“The carts will offer whole apples and oranges, romaine blend salads, carrots, and a rotating fifth item daily,” he said. “This initiative will also reduce the amount of packaging products that would otherwise need to be recycled,” he added.
The superintendent noted that cranberries, a traditional offering in many households at Thanksgiving, is a source of antioxidants and vitamins A and C and “are a healthy addition to any dish.”
And, oh yes, report cards for the first trimester will be issued on December 8, he reminded the parents. “I encourage you to review report cards with your child and open up a discussion on expectations and performance,” he said.
don’t forget
that he also told us to celebrate the cranberry.
breakfast for lunch
Perhaps the District can stop serving "breakfast for lunch" for their hot meals. In fact, why doesn't the District look into changing the menu for the meals that are served? There has been a movement of schools that are offering healthier options, usually with organic produce. Evanston seems like an ideal town to implement this type of program.
not just for breakfast any more
Pancakes can be served as part of a balanced diet at any meal.
Not pancakes
Pancakes or waffles are part of a yummy dinner meal at my house, especially with fresh fruit on top. Unfortunately, the district's "breakfast for lunch" is usually a bagged waffle and 2 sausage links. Ick!
Thanks for clearing that up
This 'bagged waffle and 2 sausage links' doesn't sound good, and sends a poor message about pancakes to kids.
I firmly believe that pancakes are healthy and delicious, and essential for the development of enquiring minds among children. However, they must be fresh from the griddle – never microwaved, frozen, or bagged – and accompanied by fruit or perhaps some vegetables, four flavors of syrup, and a bottomless pot of coffee .
Waffles, while generally inferior to pancakes, can be quite delicious too…if you are ever in Manhattan, look for the Wafels and Dinges truck ( no relation to Barnaby ) – I found them at Central Park last summer , near Columbus Circle, and they were delicious. But they must be prepared fresh and hot…not bagged with sausage.
So let's make that clear…the issue isn't "Should kids have pancakes for lunch?" (of course they should!), but "Should kids have poorly prepared, low-quality food for lunch?" (No, of course not.)
Organic lunch
http://www.organiclifeonline.com/schoollunchprogram.html
I have heard that the lunch program above has been successful in many schools around Chicagoland.
Organic school meals
Why serve organic food. It is more expensive and no healthier than conventional grow or raised food. This is born out in every major large study. In many of the studies some conventional foods are found to be more nutritious, such as corn and soy beans. In fruits nobody has found any difference in nutrition. Some people say that organic tastes better. Most people can't taste the difference according to studies. I’m one of them..
Can anybody explain why the most expensive food should be used?