Fixing School Lunch Programs

October 14, 5:47 PMBangor Single Moms ExaminerShannon Buck

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Are you a single mom in the Bangor area? Are you happy with the school breakfast and lunch programs in your area?

Photo credit: rsharts from morguefile.com

Here are some things to look for when determining whether or not your child's school is serving healthy foods:

• Are breads, muffins, tortillas, etc., made using 100% whole wheat or grain, rather than just plain whole wheat or grain, and rather than white?
• Are desserts and pancakes made with wheat flour?
• Are desserts, breads, muffins, pancakes, french toast and other items completely prepared and cooked on site?
• Are pastas 100% whole wheat or vegetable based?
• Is the rice brown or another healthy type, rather than processed white?
• Are the majority of the fruits and vegetables used fresh? Or at least packed in water rather than syrup and other sugary products?
• Are the foods served organic?

How many of these questions can you answer yes to? How many are answered no? If you are not happy with the food items being served, let the school know. Talk with the cook and principal to let them know how you want your children fed while at school. Collect signatures if that is what is needed to get what you want. Write an editorial and submit it to the newspaper. Get involved.

It does not have to be extremely expensive to serve the students in schools healthy meals. Here are some ways in which costs can be cut:

• Kitchen staff should be able to preserve food by freezing and canning. This way, when they have an over abundance of fresh produce, they can preserve it. It is possible to get many canning jars free or very cheap.
• The school could have an on site herb garden for kitchen use. Kitchen staff can learn how to dry the herbs.
• The school could also grow as much fresh produce as is possible. They can make there own compost and fertilizer. This does not have to be a huge garden. Think square foot gardening and growing upward.
• Parents who have gardens could donate some produce to the school.
• The school could also host a community garden on their property, asking for donations of food in return for garden space, compost and fertilizer, as well as tool use.
• The school could purchase produce from a local CSA. When school is not in session, the kitchen staff can preserve the produce for later use. Bangor has three options:

1. Vine and Branch Farm
2. Union Supported Agriculture
3. Parker Produce

• Farmer's markets are another great place for fresh produce. Lower prices are often given at the end of the day. When purchasing a good amount, you can often get even better prices. Schools should purchase throughout the season and preserve the produce.

1. European Farmers Market

• Baking and cooking from scratch is an important aspect of healthy eating. Breads, muffins, pancakes and more can be made on-site for more nutrition.
• When money is freed up from smart shopping, cooking and baking, the schools can purchase the more expensive 100% wheat and grain products.

For more school nutrition information:

National School Lunch Week

Back-to-School: Healthy lunchbox ideas

Back-to-School: Breakfast menus to send to school or serve at home

Back-to-School: Great after school snacks

Back-to-School: Great before school breakfast menus

Do you have a topic that you would like to see covered here? Contact Shannon at thehsmomof2@aol.com with your ideas or leave a comment below.