I have been wanting to write about this subject for quite sometime, but I just didnt know how I really felt about it. When I first agreed to write for VoicEd, I asked my daughter what she would like to change in education. I also asked her to ask her friends for their opinion.
The thing that came up the most was that the students wanted “choice”. When the “New School Food and Beverage Policy” came into effect the student’s felt that the “government” did not think that they were capable of making choices for themselves. And the fact that the “healthy choices” are not cost effective for students and they “taste like crap” according to many students. At first I thought it was just rebellious students who were mad about the fact that their “junk food” was gone, but many teachers agreed about the taste and cost of the food. Students now go off of school grounds to buy cheaper lunches at establishments within walking distance from the school. Thus, causing the schools to lose a lot of very much needed revenue from the cafeterias. Its a double edged sword really, whats worse….students leaving school grounds, unsupervised, spending money that could be spent at the school. Or bringing back pizza and fries along with other healthy alternatives and allowing our children to choose what they want to eat…while staying in a safe environment.
The cafeteria food has never really been an issue for my kids because they take their lunches to school. And the fact that I have struggled with my weight most of my life, I have made it my life mission to teach my kids that healthy alternatives are the best choice. Healthy eating begins at home when a child is small. So “banning” junk food in high school? Is it too little too late? Will it fix the problem?
The kids at my daughter’s school have decided to take on the government and challenge this policy. They have made headlines across the GTA with their fight. And their youtube video has recieved thousands of views.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76DQvBshqYM
I would love to hear your feedback after watching the video. I commend the students for taking a stand and I dont think its all about the “junk food” but about giving our kids “choices” because in the end I believe that if we teach our children about being healthy from the start, they will make the right choices. I also feel that the catering company that runs the cafeteria needs to step up and find affordable, tasty and healthy foods that will keep the kids at school eating in the cafeteria.
I have also included a video from Jamie Oliver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIwrV5e6fMY
Your thoughts?
I have to tip my hat off to your daughter and the other students who are challenging the government because they strongly believe in having a choice. I don’t think that by banning pop and junk food in the cafeteria that kids will eat better. I do believe if healthier and tastier alternatives are provided, students will be more apt to try these foods. I watched a television show recently, where two sisters who work to create the same meal into a lighter, healthier one went into a school in the GTA. They sought out to create a healthier version of the ‘Mac and Cheese’ dish. After sampling the healthier version, half the students stated that they would choose the healthier version while the other half stated they enjoyed the original dish more. To me, this proved that creating a similar dish and being creative with it can cut out the fat and calories and still be appealing to the students. The problem with all of this is that it is easier to make the meals the way they always have. There is little creative cookery that happens in these cafeterias.
I’m not sure what the right solution is but what I do know is that removing all the junk food will not keep kids from eating junk food – they will go elsewhere.
Thanks Mary Ann: I totally agree with you. And yes given the opportunity I think stuents would choose the healthy alternatives.
My daughter doesnt really have a problem with the issue because she takes her lunch to school, but she did say she might buy her lunch once in a while if there were better tasting healthy choices.