Here is the document we’ll be using as we insight change and save the kids from obesity and diabetes. Dramatic? yes. Necessary? Without a doubt. The time is now. We can start with elementary schools and work our way up to high schoolers. NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR CHANGE!
CALL TO ACTION
LAUSD – WE WANT FOOD FOR LUNCH
FOOD FOR LUNCH is a group of concerned LAUSD parents, residents, grassroots and community organizations from across Los Angeles who have joined together to affect positive change in the LAUSD lunchroom.
In response to what even the USDA is calling “the single greatest threat to public health in this century,” the obesity epidemic, and to combat health trends in this epidemic which will put 1 in 2 of America’s children at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime, we propose the following changes be made immediately for food served to children at breakfast and lunch:
More whole foods, fruits and vegetables served. We advocate for California-sourced, unprocessed foods served daily at lunch and breakfast. This means no nuggets or other such highly processed animal protein foods.
Less sugar: Reduce sugar to no more than 20 grams per meal and remove foods made with high fructose corn syrup as well as milk with added sugar and flavors.
Water: We want filtered, non-bottled water as a beverage option school-wide.
Sustainability: We want food that is sustainably sourced and minimally packaged and a reduction of individually wrapped and packaged foods.
In addition, we also demand transparency in food and contract selection and a willingness from the School Board and Food Services to go through the pain of transition as healthier changes are implemented in school breakfasts and lunches.
Our proposals are consistent with the 2010 US Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and can be accomplished, among other ways, by adding a salad and fruit bar in every school, discontinuing dessert at lunch and pastries for breakfast, eliminating milk with added flavors and/or sugar, and by offering cold, filtered water in place of juice and sweetened beverages.
These ideas are supported in the LAUSD Wellness Policy, which states, among other things: The District employs a full-time produce buyer to purchase the highest quality fresh produce daily.
Our demands are evidence-based and target the growing childhood obesity epidemic by improving the quality of the food served to children in LAUSD schools. Per the LAUSD Wellness Policy’s standard – that all meals are consistent with the US Dietary Guidelines for Americans – these proposed dietary changes will help accomplish the USDA Dietary Guidelines’ advisory committee’s priorities to help keep obesity and Type 2 diabetes at bay.
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