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School Food Revolution
There are many signs of a revolution in progress with regard to the quality of school lunches in the United States. Collective Roots is focused on improving meal quality in public schools and bringing together resources from local and national leaders in this important area of food system change. We have created a resources page on School Lunch Nutrition (click here to view it).
"Most young people are not following the recommendations set forth in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Among U.S. youth ages 6-19, 67% exceed dietary guidelines recommendations for fat intake and 72% exceed recommendations for saturated fat intake (U. S. Department of Agriculture. Continuing survey of food intakes by individuals, 1994-96, 1998.) In 2005, only 20.1% of high school students reported eating fruits and vegetables five or more times daily (when fried potatoes and potato chips are excluded) during the past 7 days. (CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, 2005). Despite these powerful statistics, most public elementary schools in the U.S. do not have a required nutrition education curriculum. Nationwide, among teachers who are required to teach health education, a median of 5 hours of health education are provided per year (those 5 hours may or may not include a nutrition component) (CDC, School Health Policy & Programs Study; 2000)." -Revolution Foods, Bay Area leader in bring healthy whole foods to low income schools.
Revolution Foods is a research partner with Collective Roots. Click on the banner below to visit their website.
The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health has provided funding to Collective Roots to research obstacles and opportunities for low income school districts to explore options for providing healthier school food.
If given the opportunity, will kids eath healthy food? Read about the study by clicking here.
Efforts to limit junk food in schools faces hurdles. Read more about this struggle by clicking here.
Photo: Digging for potatoes at East Palo Alto Charter School
Resources:
View Collective Roots main resources page on school lunch nutrition: "School Lunch Nutrition 101"
Food Research and Action Center
California Food Policy Advocates
