Let's talk school lunches

[wrobert]

Love them, like them, hate them, what are your children saying? When I decided to run for school board I had to promise my son I would do something about the food in the lunchroom. I have been doing a bit of reading on the issue and believe there is a bit of a problem, but not sure how widespread. I am particularly interested in the lunches at south Walton High School.

[30A Skunkape]

Do they actually even cook anything at school anymore? I used to like the food in our school...in fact, I fondly remember smelling the aroma of rolls baking in the late morning. Sadly, I think today's students eat a bunch of pre-made junk that is microwaved or boiled (much like the Applebee's experience).

[chrisv]

Do they actually even cook anything at school anymore? I used to like the food in our school...in fact, I fondly remember smelling the aroma of rolls baking in the late morning. Sadly, I think today's students eat a bunch of pre-made junk that is microwaved or boiled (much like the Applebee's experience).

Rectangular pizzas rock:eek:

[goodwitch58]

Love them, like them, hate them, what are your children saying? When I decided to run for school board I had to promise my son I would do something about the food in the lunchroom. I have been doing a bit of reading on the issue and believe there is a bit of a problem, but not sure how widespread. I am particularly interested in the lunches at south Walton High School.

You might just go have lunch one day. I think you will find the food is pretty awful. When I was sub. teaching at the high schools the horrible food was the subject of many class discussions.

One trip to the cafeteria at the schools will give you all the information you need..unless the menus have changed this year--my experiences were last year.

[kurt]

I hope there are no chains or junk foods in our schools here.

Proper diet and nutrition is crucial to a civil and properly educated society. Kids aren't learning it at home. I wish it were taught and practiced in schools.

[seaside2]

Do they actually even cook anything at school anymore? I used to like the food in our school...in fact, I fondly remember smelling the aroma of rolls baking in the late morning. Sadly, I think today's students eat a bunch of pre-made junk that is microwaved or boiled (much like the Applebee's experience).


Long time ago when I was in school, everything was made from scratch right there in the school cafeteria. Those rolls were famous and so good that we begged for more.Thanks skunky for a blast from the past. oh and they had REAL butter!!!!

Kind of like teacher pay, school food is a victim of budget woes.

[jdarg]

I don't know. My kids are too scared to eat cafeteria food- both take their lunches.:lol:

It is difficult to make decent, good tasting food in such large institutional quantities. I don't know if it could be improved that much, especially with a budget.

[scooterbug44]

There was an article is some random magazine about a principal who revamped her school's food program to teach the kids proper nutrition - fresh veggies, no sugars, low fat, etc. Not only did it teach the kids to eat properly, it improved test scores as they were better able to focus! :biggrin:

[steeleing1]

I've never seen it on my child's school menu, but I remember visiting Freeport Elementary a couple years ago, and the kids were eating bologna on white bread and had chocolate cake for dessert! What?

[kurt]

There was an article is some random magazine about a principal who revamped her school's food program to teach the kids proper nutrition - fresh veggies, no sugars, low fat, etc. Not only did it teach the kids to eat properly, it improved test scores as they were better able to focus! :biggrin:

There have also been programs for troubled kids where after a few days of proper diet, almost all behavior problems ended.

Poisoning kids should be illegal.

[chrisv]

Proper diet and nutrition is crucial to a civil and properly educated society. Kids aren't learning it at home. I wish it were taught and practiced in schools.

Brilliant!:clap:

[jdarg]

Jamie Oliver, The Naked chef, has been involved in school lunch programs in England.

Maybe we could get him to come here. I would work for him.:wub::biggrin:

[Bdarg]

I remember an episode of the Naked Chef where Jamie Oliver took on the task of improving school lunches. I am not sure if youtube.com has the episode, but here is a link to Jamie Oliver's website with some information as well as a link to a British school food program.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/schooldinners/manifesto?phpMyAdmin=06af156b76166043e2845ee292db1 2ee


http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/index.asp

[Bdarg]

as they say, great minds....


:floor:

[kurt]

Jdarg quicker than Bdarg - no way!

I don't think they would allow anyone cooking naked in American schools.

[30A Skunkape]

I don't know. My kids are too scared to eat cafeteria food- both take their lunches.:lol:

It is difficult to make decent, good tasting food in such large institutional quantities. I don't know if it could be improved that much, especially with a budget.

I think decent food can be made in quantity, it is just cheaper to have Sodexo whip it up offsite. Mondays were always red beans and rice with greens, there was always a spaghetti day, cold weather had chili days or beef stew. Of course there were the occasional fried chicken days or hamburger days. Fridays were always fried catfish with greens and macaroni & cheese. OK, not health food, but at least it was made in house with some love. Now I'm hungry!

[jdarg]

as they say, great minds....


:floor:

I love your avatar.

[jdarg]

Jdarg quicker than Bdarg - no way!

I don't think they would allow anyone cooking naked in American schools.

Uh, way!

I am sure Bdarg knows that I would have a totally professional relationship with The Naked Chef.:roll:

[ShallowsNole]

I'll ask Squirt how the lunches are. I do know they were pretty bad at SWHS a couple of years ago, but I also know some/most of the cafeteria staff have changed. He still asks for lunch money, so I assume he is eating.

Okaloosa County has a central kitchen where all of the food is prepared in Niceville and then taken to the different schools. I know one of the ladies who prepares the food :wub:, and she is an awesome cook :drool:, but I can't imagine that the food is still good when it gets to FWB, Laurel Hill, etc. :idontno:

[Camp Creek Kid]

I think they are trying. Bay's menu is greatly improved from the last few years when there was a habit of pairing pizza with lima beans. Not too appetizing in my opinion. This week's menu sounds pretty good, but the quality is not real high. I have a 5th grade son who bought his lunch last year, but now takes it from home because he is trying to eat healthier.

[Mango]

I think decent food can be made in quantity, it is just cheaper to have Sodexo whip it up offsite. Mondays were always red beans and rice with greens, there was always a spaghetti day, cold weather had chili days or beef stew. Of course there were the occasional fried chicken days or hamburger days. Fridays were always fried catfish with greens and macaroni & cheese. OK, not health food, but at least it was made in house with some love. Now I'm hungry!

Beans and chili? :blink: I hope you had long recesses after lunch before heading back into a classroom.

Do they offer breakfast at school? They did when we were kids for those who may have been rushed to school or didn't get them at home, working parents etc.

[Killer Whale]

Sadly, you can take a whore to culture but you can't make her think...


http://education.guardian.co.uk/schoolmeals/story/0,,2182332,00.html

[NotDeadYet]

OMG, what a tasteless (no pun inteded) analogy! :roll:

[Mermaid]

I think decent food can be made in quantity, it is just cheaper to have Sodexo whip it up offsite. Mondays were always red beans and rice with greens, there was always a spaghetti day, cold weather had chili days or beef stew. Of course there were the occasional fried chicken days or hamburger days. Fridays were always fried catfish with greens and macaroni & cheese. OK, not health food, but at least it was made in house with some love. Now I'm hungry!

Yes, it is possible to cook food that students will eat and that is actually good for them:


http://news.uns.purdue.edu/html3month/2006/060221.Johnson.award.html

We've been pleasantly surprised--no, make that astonished--at how good the food is at Purdue. Whenever we drive up there to pick up Philippa on a Friday, we always try to get there before the dining halls close. :lol:

What I think is interesting about Purdue's approach to feeding their kids is that they acknowledge that frequent restaurant dining is the way of the world. Instead of working against it, they work with it. Also, the fruits and vegetables served are fresh, not canned. That makes a huge difference in the palatability factor. The menu also changes so same food boredom is not an issue.

As to the cost factor of making food that will be enjoyed (thus ensuring a return factor), the article states that the dining halls are self-supporting. So it can be done!

[closer2fine]

my DD takes a lunch everyday. the only day she risks it is pizza day.

[rapunzel]

I think another aspect of Jamie Oliver's school lunch overhaul was to put an emphasis on using local and regional foods when in season. He worked with the agriculture department to facilitate access to inexpensive fresh produce. It benefited farmers and kids.

Of course, Jamie Oliver's new crusade is even closer to my heart...he's trying to get people to stop eating those poor chickens who live their entire lives in a wire cage the size of a shoe box.:clap:

[Grayton Girl]

http://www.walton.k12.fl.us/SWHS/index.htm

Hello WaltonGOP: The link above should open the South Walton High School webpage, specifically the "Menu" section. It is pretty uninspired fare.

My kids attend South Walton, but both of them make their lunches every morning. I'm not sure how it works in the cafeteria, but I think there are items (pizza, fries, etc) that can be ordered a la carte.

What I would love to see is the removal of Coke machines from the school. They have several at South Walton. The Coke people have a sweet deal with the school and they "force" their products on students by "giving back" a small portion of the profits to the school. So the school is happy to have the machines. I don't like it one bit!

I personally know students who drink 3, 4 and 5 cokes a day (and by cokes I mean any soda type product). This is incredibly unhealthy. In my opinion, removal of these machines would be the best things we could do for our kids.

I would advocate for machines serving water only.

[singinchicken]

I remember an episode of the Naked Chef where Jamie Oliver took on the task of improving school lunches. I am not sure if youtube.com has the episode, but here is a link to Jamie Oliver's website with some information as well as a link to a British school food program.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/schooldinners/manifesto?phpMyAdmin=06af156b76166043e2845ee292db1 2ee


http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/index.asp

It was great in concept, and I'm sure the food rocked; however, the kids basically quit eating lunch, period, because they were used to and expected junk. The news article I saw from the UK had a picture of parents passing fast food bags through the school fences for their kids to eat rather than the good stuff conceived by Jamie Oliver. Pretty sad, actually.

[singinchicken]

Oops...just saw Killer Whale's post. My bad. That may have been the same article I read but with a pic...

[scooterbug44]

The fact that parents were passing fast food through a fence instead of making their kids eat healthy food prepared by a well known chef speaks volumes about where the root of the problem is! :roll:

Kids will eat what is available - replace sodas with juice and water and improve the food and they'll eat it - or go hungry.

[Tootsie]

Long time ago when I was in school, everything was made from scratch right there in the school cafeteria. Those rolls were famous and so good that we begged for more.Thanks skunky for a blast from the past. oh and they had REAL butter!!!!

Kind of like teacher pay, school food is a victim of budget woes.

omg, I remember the wonderful rolls, and loved the rectangular pizza!!!


as they say, great minds....

great 'tar bdarg!!!!!:wave:

:floor:

http://www.walton.k12.fl.us/SWHS/index.htm

What I would love to see is the removal of Coke machines from the school. They have several at South Walton. The Coke people have a sweet deal with the school and they "force" their products on students by "giving back" a small portion of the profits to the school. So the school is happy to have the machines. I don't like it one bit!

I personally know students who drink 3, 4 and 5 cokes a day (and by cokes I mean any soda type product). This is incredibly unhealthy. In my opinion, removal of these machines would be the best things we could do for our kids.

I would advocate for machines serving water only.

I am in shock to hear that our schools have coke machines in them. I thought this was something that schools decided to ban a long time ago, due to the incidence of child obesity, diabetes, and all. (I am assuming that coke machines are not in elem or middle schools...?)

If a school cannot teach nutrition and health through the requirement of healthy lunch and snacks, then I don't know what the hail they can teach. learning begins with health and nutrition.

at my son's school, not even a cookie is acceptable. and I like this. the teachers know that even ONE cookie or high sugar item, ingested by 25 little kids, can cause a significant and cumulative/group increase in behavior and attention problems, as well as ability to learn. only water or milk for a drink. and parents have been provided classes on nutrition by physicians and nutritionists so that we can know more about foods and preparing lunch, snacks, etc, for our kids at school and at home.

we still eat junk food at home and on special occasions, etc. we haven't gone so far as to say no to all yummy junk. but, I'm happy that our school teachers know a lot about how nutrition effects health and learning. i'm happy that when 25 3-6 year olds are together that the teachers are proactive in making sure the learning environment is as excellent as it can be - including what's for lunch and snack. I'm happy that my kid is learning about nutrition at school and at home, because we're all learning as a result.

[Furthur]

We never had any vending machines in my H.S.
What a stupid idea.
Weren't allowed to go off campus for lunch either.
Kids today have too much freedom.

I think all school lunches should be vegetarian.
It would save money, teach good nutrition and help save the world.
If the kids don't like it they can bring their junk food from home.

[scooterbug44]

You can take away the soda, the candy etc. but not the meat! :yikes:

IMO most school cafeteria's aren't serving all that much meat to begin with. ;-)

I would have health problems if I ate all vegetarian food! A body can only take so much TVP and soy! :puke:

Would not want to be the poor teacher w/ a classroom full of teenage boys being fed legumes every day!

[wrobert]

There have also been programs for troubled kids where after a few days of proper diet, almost all behavior problems ended.

Poisoning kids should be illegal.


Maybe I am starting to stray a bit to the left here, but we know the socioeconomics in nowal are pretty dismal for a lot of kids. Several times I hear school board members and adminstration talk about how the food at schools is the only decent meal many children receive. This is the main reason they run a food program in the summer with federal dollars to combat hunger in America.

So it would seem to me that if we know all of this, we should be taking extraordinary lengths to make the food high quality and tasty. If kids had that to look forward to each day, maybe that would be the reason for them to get out of bed and come to school. And proper nutrition does appear to enhance test scores. So instead of spending dollars on all of these programs that we do not know work, let us spend them where we know they do work and feed some kids at the same time.

Just a thought.

[scooterbug44]

Wanting kids to have good food and do well in school - what crazy ideas!

Welcome to the left! :wave:

I googled something this morning regarding the implementation costs of a healthy food program in Appletonn, WI and I think it was like $20k - which they felt more than paid for itself by reducing the costs of behavior problems.

http://www.feingold.org/PF/wisconsin1.html

[BeachSiO2]

Maybe I am starting to stray a bit to the left here, but we know the socioeconomics in nowal are pretty dismal for a lot of kids. Several times I hear school board members and adminstration talk about how the food at schools is the only decent meal many children receive. This is the main reason they run a food program in the summer with federal dollars to combat hunger in America.

So it would seem to me that if we know all of this, we should be taking extraordinary lengths to make the food high quality and tasty. If kids had that to look forward to each day, maybe that would be the reason for them to get out of bed and come to school. And proper nutrition does appear to enhance test scores. So instead of spending dollars on all of these programs that we do not know work, let us spend them where we know they do work and feed some kids at the same time.

Just a thought.

I don't know how far left you are but it makes sense to me and works well in third world countries. Kids with no/little food at home come to school to learn and eat their one good meal a day.

BTW, did anyone see how this was contested by the cafeteria cooks when Shaq tried to do it in Shaq's Big Challenge?

[MattChrist Live]

Alright...I've been trying to keep silent on these threads, but this one kinda comes close to home since I'm in a school cafeteria every day.

Coke machines are not located in the cafeteria, there is some law, some statute, or some ordinance that was passed somewhere within the past few years or so that outlawed coke vending machines in public school cafeterias, (or at least this is what I've been told). SWHS does have machines in the cafeteria that vend OJ, Apple Juice, Dasani Water, Smart Water, Vitamin Water, and Powerade. With prices ranging from 1.25 to 1.50, many kids this year have simply started buying .45 milk cartons from the lunch line.
There are coke machines located outside of the school near the back of the gym, but they also sell water and powerade. The students that primarily use these machines are our band students and athletes. Most of the athletes tend to go for water or powerade after running a few miles.

As the Student Council President, I started last year trying to implement a healthier alternative to the school lunches since every peer of mine complained about the menu. It took a while, but at the beginning of the year, the cafeteria opened with an alternative and somewhat healthier menu, ranging from sub sandwiches with a salad bar to, on the unhealthy spectrum, taco salads and chicken tenders. Both lines and menus are typically even, but on mystery meat days, you can bet that the alternative line usually stretches out a little longer.

What I learned during the process is that the school lunch entity is controlled by the Federal government, which makes changing it require a ton of paperwork. There are separate and amusing laws that associate with the cafeteria, such as outlawing bake sales during lunch, since the bake sales competed with the federal lunch program.

I personally believe that all lunch programs need to be revamped to incorporate a few more healthier aspects mentioned in earlier posts, even if it requires an act of congress.

Okay..I'm off my soapbox now :)

Now where did my box of cheezits and coke cola go?

[jdarg]

Thanks, Matt. Good report "from the trenches."

BTW- cola machines are not available to students in elementary and middle school. It's milk from the cafeteria, water, or what a parent sends from home.

My kid drinks milk at home, but for lunch I let him take a soda. When they get to be teenagers, get up at 6:30 (which is opposite the teenage biorhythm) and have to sit through the 90 minute block scheduled classes (a whole 'nuther thread), a soda can only be a good thing.

[Lollerwaffle]

Not necessarily, jdarg. Your child would be better suited to start the day with some fresh fruit, rich in carbohydrates and other important nutrients. Things like sodas and candybars are considered "empty kcals." They offer calories with all of that added sugar, but remember, if you are supposed to be eating around 2000 to 2500 kcals per day, that is like wasting your kcal "dollars" on something with no nutritional value. Fruit in the morning would spend those kcal dollars on something that would give glucose/carbs for energy, have the sweet taste, as well as offer other valuable nutrients that the body needs. It's no good to start getting hooked on the caffiene thing at a young age either. It is addictive. There are healthier alternatives to achieving good energy levels for children to explore, if only their parents would make them.

[jdarg]

Not necessarily, jdarg. Your child would be better suited to start the day with some fresh fruit, rich in carbohydrates and other important nutrients. Things like sodas and candybars are considered "empty kcals." They offer calories with all of that added sugar, but remember, if you are supposed to be eating around 2000 to 2500 kcals per day, that is like wasting your kcal "dollars" on something with no nutritional value. Fruit in the morning would spend those kcal dollars on something that would give glucose/carbs for energy, have the sweet taste, as well as offer other valuable nutrients that the body needs. It's no good to start getting hooked on the caffiene thing at a young age either. It is addictive. There are healthier alternatives to achieving good energy levels for children to explore, if only their parents would make them.

I guess I left out the part that my kid makes healthier food choices than most kids- plenty of fruits and veg, low fat proteins, good carbs, milk- he does just fine- so one soda at lunch isn't gonna kill him. He must be doing something right, since he is a 6'1" freshman, rarely gets sick,is not fat from eating too much junk, and gets plenty of exercise. He can have the soda!

[aleonard]

I guess I left out the part that my kid makes healthier food choices than most kids- plenty of fruits and veg, low fat proteins, good carbs, milk- he does just fine- so one soda at lunch isn't gonna kill him. He must be doing something right, since he is a 6'1" freshman, rarely gets sick,is not fat from eating too much junk, and gets plenty of exercise. He can have the soda!

I agree. With a teenagers metabolism one "splurge or treat" a day might keep the other 95% of his diet healthy.

It's the kids who drink a 2 liter, eat junk all day and get no exercise that are causing the trends in childhood obesity to increase. Plus, for many families, the less healthy foods are cheaper. Processed carbs are much cheaper than fresh veggies and organic, free range protein sources.

[Lollerwaffle]

Oh definately jdarg. As long as a person makes healthy choices for the most part, and splurges on that soda. It's okay. There's no harm done. I just was viewing the statement from the standpoint of a person who works with children on a daily basis, and sees the poor nutrition choices that they make. This culture has an obesity problem, as we are all aware of. I see a lot of obese children that really don't have to be that way. And what is sad to me is this: The school lunches where I work are pretty digusting. Some kids won't touch them. So parents pack a lunch. But then in this packed lunch you see things like candy bars, bags of potato chips and sugary cereals. If there is a sandwhich involved, it's white bread rather than whole wheat. For the most part though, I just see packed lunches being a bag full of crackers/chips/candy/cereal type junk food that you would consider "snacking" on. Those parents would actually be doing some good if they sent them with packed lunches full of nutritious, low fat foods.

[Smiling JOe]

I hope there are no chains or junk foods in our schools here.

Proper diet and nutrition is crucial to a civil and properly educated society. Kids aren't learning it at home. I wish it were taught and practiced in schools.

What is wrong with Dr Pepper, Hot Fries, hotdogs, grilled cheese sandwiches and little crappy pizza? That's what I grew up on -- a far cry from Skunky's Applebee's type food. All that sugar, salt and carbs counteract the caffeine, and produce some lazy effers, who don't want to do anything but sleep in the afternoon. We were like zombies after lunch.

The benefits of proper nutrition are well-known. I saw a 20/20 story a year or two ago, where a principal of a school introduced healthy foods, mostly unprocessed, and the kids, who were once overly hyper, began to chill out a bit, and the overall grades improved over time. The kids whom were interviewed didn't like the change at first, but they quickly grew to appreciate and enjoy the meals.

[Tootsie]

I guess I left out the part that my kid makes healthier food choices than most kids- plenty of fruits and veg, low fat proteins, good carbs, milk- he does just fine- so one soda at lunch isn't gonna kill him. He must be doing something right, since he is a 6'1" freshman, rarely gets sick,is not fat from eating too much junk, and gets plenty of exercise. He can have the soda!


you mean he can have the "coke". which of course means any kind of soda, but we don't say soda in the south. ;-)

I would think that at age 15, a person can make his own choices regarding food and drink, within reason. it still seems kind of odd to me to have "coke" at school..:eek: we never did way back when. coke was such a treat! like once a week, at macdonald's, or at grandma's house. still is. we don't buy them as a rule, but we do treat ourselves when out and about. yummy - lately I've replaced my red wine with coke. :biggrin:

[kurt]

a soda can only be a good thing.

But never. :roll:





Thanks for the eggzellent post Matt!

[aleonard]

you mean he can have the "coke". which of course means any kind of soda, but we don't say soda in the south. ;-)

I would think that at age 15, a person can make his own choices regarding food and drink, within reason. it still seems kind of odd to me to have "coke" at school..:eek: we never did way back when. coke was such a treat! like once a week, at macdonald's, or at grandma's house. still is. we don't buy them as a rule, but we do treat ourselves when out and about. yummy - lately I've replaced my red wine with coke. :biggrin:

Exactly:clap: I remember my mom and I used to go to town and get the little glass bottle cokes for a treat. It's moderation that's key to a livable and healthy lifestyle.

[30A Skunkape]

Here is a thought fueled by a bit of red wine-have you noticed that as the size of lunchboxes shrinks, we are getting heavier? Can you even get a decent sized lunchbox anymore?:idontno: I wish I still had a few of mine...I had E.T., Universal Studios Monsters and The Six Million Dollar Man (that was a hand-me-down!). I still covet Sunny Robichaux's Dukes of Hazzard to this day. Ah, the memories.

[Tootsie]

matt - love your alternative/healthy lunch program. way to go! someday this will be the norm, and not the alternative.

this is just one more part of the education system that must be completely overhauled. nutrition is really the most fundamental thing we can do to help students do well in school. Students learning to take care of their health is really more important than learning algebra, IMO. If the student is healthy, not obese or diabetic, with high blood pressure, etc., then he will have a lot more success in school and beyond.

I do not want to place the health of children in the hands of the school system, however. Parents need to oversee this overall. however, the school does have a responsibility to promote health and safety of students in all areas relating to school programs. surely health and safety is integral to the curriculum and school policy.

[Tootsie]

Here is a thought fueled by a bit of red wine-have you noticed that as the size of lunchboxes shrinks, we are getting heavier? Can you even get a decent sized lunchbox anymore?:idontno: I wish I still had a few of mine...I had E.T., Universal Studios Monsters and The Six Million Dollar Man (that was a hand-me-down!). I still covet Sunny Robichaux's Dukes of Hazzard to this day. Ah, the memories.

pui, pui!:lol:

too bad you didn't save those lunch boxes. oh well. maybe we can find you one on ebay for your birthday.:wave:

[Smiling JOe]

Exactly:clap: I remember my mom and I used to go to town and get the little glass bottle cokes for a treat. It's moderation that's key to a livable and healthy lifestyle.

...and when I was in school, I drank a Pepsi at recess and often had one or two Dr Peppers for at lunch, then more after I got home, if I wasn't playing sports.

[jdarg]

...and when I was in school, I drank a Pepsi at recess and often had one or two Dr Peppers for at lunch, then more after I got home, if I wasn't playing sports.


Wow- it really stunted your growth. You are practically a midget.:floor:

[aleonard]

...and when I was in school, I drank a Pepsi at recess and often had one or two Dr Peppers for at lunch, then more after I got home, if I wasn't playing sports.


Didn't you stay up last night due to some soda pop?:shock::wave:

[Smiling JOe]

Yes, I did. Also had some tea at lunch, which I don't normally do. Now, I mostly drink water with my meals, and I probably drink no more than a 12 pack of sodas in a year. I cannot stand all of the sugar, and the fizz seems so unnatural.

[aleonard]

Yes, I did. Also had some tea at lunch, which I don't normally do. Now, I mostly drink water with my meals, and I probably drink no more than a 12 pack of sodas in a year. I cannot stand all of the sugar, and the fizz seems so unnatural.

What caused you to kick your soda habit? I don't drink the real cokes anymore and try to stay away from the diet kind. Cutting back on coffee is where I need to focus. Too much makes me look like this.......:shock:...........:yikes:

Cool link with photos for the cost of food for families around the world.
http://www.aboutcolonblank.com/?p=1449

[Grayton Girl]

Matt: I'm so glad you posted to correct me on my statement that cokes were available to students at SWHS. I guess I have seen the "Coke" machines, and I assumed they contained cokes. My boys told me tonight that the coke machines have Powerade, orange juice, water, Vitamin Water, stuff like that.

My bad for misinforming everyone. I am still against cokes (diet or not) and for that matter, a person should really only drink Powerade/Gatorade after or during heavy exercise. Extremely high in sugar (high fructose corn syrup is 2nd ingredient), and you don't need all the electrolytes (salts, etc.) if you haven't been doing some serious exercise.

It would be fabulous if our school district could provide healthier food that is fresh and delicious, but I know it is an uphill struggle against the establishment and "the way we have always done things."

[Smiling JOe]

After working in the restaurant biz drinking them all day long, I realized that I was drinking them out of habit, and not because I enjoyed them. I changed to drinking sweet tea, which I like, but grew too addicted to the sugar and caffeine. I typically drank at least a half gallon of sweet tea for lunch everyday, and more for dinner. The sugar left me drained and tired. I eventually replaced tea with water, and started drinking coffee about seven years ago, to get my caffeine. I started drinking three to four big mugs every morning. Again, I realized that I was too addicted, and began cutting back. Now, I typically drink only one mug of coffee each morning, and that is my only caffeine. I do switch it out with hot tea on occasion to mix it up, and every once in a while, I drink a sweet tea for lunch. The sugar is what really kicks me into the gutter. While I do enjoy my morning perk of coffee, if I didn't get the migraines from caffeine withdrawal, I would not consume any caffeine other than a green or black tea on occasion. I once cut out the caffeine for about five months, and I struggled to get through every day with my headaches. I was miserable from the withdrawals. My caffeine addiction is something with which I struggle, and the habit is as strong as the addiction. I have an expresso machine, which might help me cut down the amount I drink. It may be the same amount of caffeine, but it is in a smaller dose with less sugar.

[wrobert]

It would be fabulous if our school district could provide healthier food that is fresh and delicious, but I know it is an uphill struggle against the establishment and "the way we have always done things."

And the system causes this. When people are elected, it appears that immediately they fall in line to further perpetuate the norm. No one wants to go out on a limb, upset an apple cart, and try to make a change in the system. When I first decided to run, I went and spoke to a high ranking school official to tell them my intentions, not far into the conversation I was asked if I thought I would be able to 'get along' with the other board members. To this day, since I am running to be a representative of the people, I fail to see how my ability to play well with others on the school board is really going to matter other than my ability to get things done.

But I figure, if someone would start to try to make changes in these very important problems, without regards as to the future political fallout, it would encourage other like minded individuals to stand up and come forward so we can get things done.

[aleonard]

And the system causes this. When people are elected, it appears that immediately they fall in line to further perpetuate the norm. No one wants to go out on a limb, upset an apple cart, and try to make a change in the system. When I first decided to run, I went and spoke to a high ranking school official to tell them my intentions, not far into the conversation I was asked if I thought I would be able to 'get along' with the other board members. To this day, since I am running to be a representative of the people, I fail to see how my ability to play well with others on the school board is really going to matter other than my ability to get things done.

But I figure, if someone would start to try to make changes in these very important problems, without regards as to the future political fallout, it would encourage other like minded individuals to stand up and come forward so we can get things done.

Do you think as far as the lunches that it's also a cost issue. I think Steeling1 said something about white bread sandwiches and chocolate cake lunches in Freeport. Cheap=sugar+processed carbs=lunch?

[TooFarTampa]

And the system causes this. When people are elected, it appears that immediately they fall in line to further perpetuate the norm. No one wants to go out on a limb, upset an apple cart, and try to make a change in the system. When I first decided to run, I went and spoke to a high ranking school official to tell them my intentions, not far into the conversation I was asked if I thought I would be able to 'get along' with the other board members. To this day, since I am running to be a representative of the people, I fail to see how my ability to play well with others on the school board is really going to matter other than my ability to get things done.
But I figure, if someone would start to try to make changes in these very important problems, without regards as to the future political fallout, it would encourage other like minded individuals to stand up and come forward so we can get things done.

Oh, but to some people, in some places, "getting along" is VERY important. :blink:

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/29/Hillsborough/_Teamwork_training_up.shtml

Proceed with caution. :wave:

[aleonard]

Oh, but to some people, in some places, "getting along" is VERY important. :blink:

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/29/Hillsborough/_Teamwork_training_up.shtml

Proceed with caution. :wave:

"Blood on the playground."

Dramatic reporting by the media:biggrin:

[TooFarTampa]

"Blood on the playground."

Dramatic reporting by the media:biggrin:

:floor: You are right, the lead did not need to be so dramatic, did it? The actual events were grabby enough. :blink:

[wrobert]

Do you think as far as the lunches that it's also a cost issue. I think Steeling1 said something about white bread sandwiches and chocolate cake lunches in Freeport. Cheap=sugar+processed carbs=lunch?

Certainly it is a cost issue. I would like to see what the breakdown is of the lunch program. I remember a couple of years ago they were bragging about how they could do lunch cheaper than the fed reimbursement so they actually made a profit for every free or reduced lunch served.

But now, according to the 2006-2007 salary schedule on the district website, a lunchroom worker with zero years experience is paid $12.32 an hour plus benefits. Just the salary alone is going to keep costs high. But that is not the problem of the parents or the students if the school board allowed that to happen. So now some tough decisions have to be made.

Since it is proven that proper nutrition increases test scores and reduces disciplinary problems, then it seems obvious that more dollars could be taken from other unproven programs and shifted into food service. Also making sure the salary schedule is reasonable for new hires so that attrition corrects any problem over time is possible. But I would imagine I would not get much support from the union on doing something like that. In the real world when your costs get lopsided, you basically have to close and start over, in government you just take more money from your citizens.

[beachmouse]

$12/hour for food service isn't too out of line for the area, oddly enough. The last couple of years, places like Burger King and the KenTacoHut in Destin/Miramar Beach have been advertising $11-$12/ hour for shift workers during peak times.

Might as well pay just high enough to poach away the good McDonald's employees.

[ShallowsNole]

Hopefully Matt will follow up on this thread, as I asked my 9th grader about lunch at SWHS. He replied that, while it was cafeteria food, it was pretty decent and he much preferred it to what he was given at ECMS. So there. :D

As far as colas go...let's not go there. That's my only remaining habit, and it's a bad one.

[wrobert]

$12/hour for food service isn't too out of line for the area, oddly enough. The last couple of years, places like Burger King and the KenTacoHut in Destin/Miramar Beach have been advertising $11-$12/ hour for shift workers during peak times.

Might as well pay just high enough to poach away the good McDonald's employees.


And they pay with with retirement and health benefits? Remember it use to be public sector, lower pay, more security, private sector, higher pay, more opportunity. Once they finally post the 2007/08 schedule I believe the starting pay with be right at $13/hr.