Healthy Schools Campaign

Friday Recipe for Hot Summer Days: Watermelon Gazpacho

This post is part of our Friday-morning series on fun, healthy recipes. Check out other recipe posts here.

With the official first day of summer last weekend, the weather has started to really heat up – and we’re all looking for a quick, refreshing recipe that doesn’t heat up the kitchen any more!

This watermelon gazpacho fits the bill – it’s a cool, easy dish packed with fruits and veggies.

Watermelon Gazpacho

• 6 cups seedless watermelon cubes
• ½ peeled and chopped seedless cucumber
• ½ organic yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons lime or lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1 cup cold raspberry-cranberry juice
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

In a large food processor, combine 3 cups of the watermelon, the cucumber, bell pepper, scallions, garlic, lime or lemon juice, oil and pepper sauce. Process with short pulses until the mixture is just finely chopped. (Be sure not to puree the ingredients or you’ll end up with a smoothie instead!) Add the remaining watermelon, raspberry-cranberry juice, and mint. Process with pulses until just finely chopped. 

Makes 8 servings.

From Fresh Choices: Easy Recipes for  Pure Food When You Can’t Buy 100% Organic by HSC founding executive director Rochelle Davis

Why I Paid Attention to This Year’s American Medical Association Conference

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

This week, the American Medical Association (AMA) met in Chicago.  Normally this gathering of doctors from around the country wouldn’t grab my interest. This year, however, was different: two developments at the AMA caught my attention as important news for all of us who care about the environment and children’s health in school.

The first was President Obama’s address in which he acknowledged the important role that school food plays in health care reform. While speaking to the need for a greater focus on prevention, President Obama said that we must cut down “on all the junk food that is fueling an epidemic of obesity, putting far too many Americans, young and old, at greater risk of costly, chronic conditions.”  And while these lessons must be learned at home, we also “should work with local school districts to incorporate into their school lunch programs.” 

This recognition is especially important in the context of the upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, an opportunity for the federal government to provide increased support for better school food across the country. (See HSC's press release to learn more.)

Then, the AMA passed a resolution supporting sustainable food systems. This resolution is based on a report [pdf] of the Council on Science and Public Health which notes that locally produced and organic foods “reduce the use of fuel, decrease the need for packaging and resultant waste disposal, preserve farmland . . . [and] the related reduced fuel emissions contribute to cleaner air and in turn, lower the incidence of asthma attacks and other respiratory problems.”

The report sees industrial food production as a significant contributor to increased antibiotic resistance, climate change, and air and water pollution.  

We are also concerned about the food system here at HSC, primarily because changes in the food system have played a major part in our nation’s move away from wholesome nutritious meals and toward highly processed unhealthy food. This trend – both at school and outside of school – is a significant contributor to the epidemic of childhood obesity.  Whether your concern is climate change, antibiotic resistant or childhood obesity,  we can no longer separate the health of food from how it is produced. I applaud the AMA for recognizing this critical connection and helping raise awareness of the steps we can all take to help make our children – and our environment – healthier.

Health Care Reform and School Wellness

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

As the country gears up for a debate on health care reform, it is clear that the policymakers are going to connect the dots between the nation’s efforts to control health care costs and obesity prevention programs – including those that focus on school wellness.  

An article for POLITICO, Carrier Budoff Brown reports that, “Any health care reform plan that Obama signs is almost certain to call for nutrition counseling, obesity screenings and wellness programs at workplaces and community centers. He wants more time in the school day for physical fitness, more nutritious school lunches and more bike paths, walking paths and grocery stores in underserved areas.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic diseases including diabetes account for 75 percent of the nation’s $2 trillion medical costs.  So any plan to get health care spending under control must include a strong prevention component .  

Schools are an important venue for providing healthy food and opportunities for physical activity, as well as for teaching healthy lifestyles.  With education funding under so much pressure, it will be interesting to see if health care reform will provide any relief to schools that have efforts underway to offer healthier food and more opportunities for physical activity – efforts that ultimately contribute to a healthier student body and a healthier population. 

Limits May Ease on Medicaid Funds for Schools

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

It was great to hear that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is recommending the reversal of a rule proposed by the Bush Administration which would prevent schools from being reimbursed by  Medicaid for medical services that schools deliver.  (To learn more about this rule, see our blog entry from March 2, 2007.)  It appears that the agency has reversed its position based on opposition expressed by many organizations, including HSC. 

In their recent statement, the agency indicates that they "may not have been fully aware of the magnitude of the potential adverse consequences" on students.  In addition, they acknowledged that data indicating abuse of Medicaid by schools was old and did not reflect the administrative changes that have since been put in place.

This is great news for schools that are already struggling financially, and for students with disabilities who need special services -- such as speech therapy, physical therapy and transportation -- during the school day.

We applaud Senator Kennedy and his staff for their efforts to prevent this rule from being implemented. We will keep you posted as the process for rescinding this rule proceeds.

Chemical Exposure Linked to Childhood Obesity

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

I read with interest an article in The New York Times about a new study which links childhood obesity to exposure of phthalates, chemicals which are used to make plastics pliable and in personal care products.  Phthalates are known endocrine disrupters (they affect glands and hormones that regulate many bodily functions) and a possible carcinogen.  In a past life, I was involved in efforts to eliminate phthalates from children’s toys and other products.  This concern about environmental exposures was one of the reasons why I started Healthy Schools Campaign.  
 
One of the most interesting aspects of this to me is that the line between two of the issues we work on, the environment and obesity, is becoming more and more fuzzy. We need to look at school siting to address toxic exposures as well as walkable communities. Phthalates are a significant environmental exposure that may be contributing to the obesity crisis. Obesity seems to worsen asthma.
 
And the more we learn, the more we need to come back to the basics -- healthy eating, exercise, clean air, clean water.
 
In the meantime, we hope the research connecting phthalates to obesity becomes more clear. But since exposure to phthalates isn’t going away any time soon, let’s continue to ensure access to healthy food and physical activity for all kids.

Earth Mothers: Parents Share Lessons & Victories in Environmental Justice Project

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

Last Monday, I had the privilege of participating in the final event of our EPA Environmental Justice grant with parents from the Austin Wide Parent Network.  For the last two years, 12 parents from this low-income African-American community worked with HSC staff to learn about the connection between learning, health and the school environment and then work together to make improvements in four schools. 
 
After a delicious and healthy meal prepared by Real Men Cook, parents gave personal testimony on what they learned and the changes that they were able to make in their schools. I was very moved by the whole program.  I was so inspired by a poem written by Austin Wide Parent Network organizer Tracy that I wanted to share it with you.  The poem eloquently captures the essence of the work being done.  
 
Earth Mothers
 
When we hear the term earth mother,
Particularly in the black community,
It conjures up images of dreadlocks and fros, breathable fabrics flowing in the wind, composts, organics and canvas bags
 
We think of women who have given up so much,
Sacrificed conveniences and luxuries
To ensure that the earth will survive beyond their lifetimes and into perpetuity
 
But, I know other earth mothers
Who may not be cotton and linen clad every day
But whose existence breathes purpose and commitment
As they ensure that dust bunnies are shooed away and pests eased out, not poisoned out
To clear the air for the babies of Austin
 
I know other earth mothers
Whose hair may not be locked up as they say
But, for whom it is natural to tell school engineers in no uncertain terms to “Get rid of that bleach, Fabuloso and all the other toxic stuff. We’re trying to breathe up in here.”
 
I know other earth mothers
Whose homes may not be lead free
Because the Dollar Store is still the most affordable place in our communities and nobody cares enough to regulate the make-up of the inventory there
But, who are working magic with potions of vinegar, baking soda and water to keep the air in their home toxin free
 
I know other earth mothers
Who may just now be starting to investigate recycling options now that a drop-off center is kind of nearby and the City finally decided to put some blue carts out here
But you better believe they understand reuse
As in “Where are you taking the tablecloth? I’m going to use it for my No Child Left Behind meeting”
Or “You better hand me that foil pan. I’m using that for my family reunion.”
 
These are women whose faith compels them to weed out barriers to clear air in the Edens and Gesthemanes we call our homes and schools
 
These are warrior queens who are fighting to keep Mother Earth and all of her children alive and kicking
 
These are the mothers and grandmothers of the Austin Wide Parent Network.

Energy Bites for Busy Spring Days

By Lindsay Muscato, HSC Writer/Communications Specialist

This post is part of our Friday-morning series on the fun, healthy snacks that kids love. Check out other recipe posts here.

When the days grow longer and kids start heading off to softball, soccer, or the playground after school, healthy snacks ease the hunger pangs between lunch and dinner. This easy recipe can be made in advance and reduces the temptation for expensive snack bars and other sugary pick-me-ups.

Energy Bites

1/2 cup raisins
1 and 3/4 cup dried figs
1 cup organic dried apricots
1 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried unsweetened coconut or cocoa powder (optional)

Put the raisins in a bowl. Cover with boiling water and soak until plump, about 10 minutes. Pluck the raisins out of the water and transfer to a food processor. Add the figs, apricots and dates and process until finely chopped, about one minute. (If you don't have a processor, you can finely mince the fruit instead.) Remove to a bowl and stir in the peanut butter, chocolate chips, and cinnamon. If the mixture is too dry, add up to 2 tablespoons of the raisin-soaking liquid to moisten. Roll into 1-inch balls with wet hands (to prevent sticking). Roll in the coconut or cocoa powder (if using). Makes 24 bites. (Note: If sensitive to sulfites (such as those found in wine) look for sulfite-free dried fruits.)

From Fresh Choices by Rochelle Davis, HSC founding executive director

What Lessons from Chicago will Obama and Arne Duncan Take to DC?

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

Chicago has been in the spotlight more than usual for the past few months, as President Barack Obama and new Secretary of Education Arne Duncan transition to DC from careers that began in this city. With HSC’s office in Chicago and some of our key programs focused on healthy change in Chicago Public Schools, we have been giving a great deal of thought to the lessons on health and education that our leaders will bring from Chicago to the national policy dialogue.

It’s with this in mind that HSC is pleased to release our new report, Healthy and Ready to Learn: Lessons from Chicago. This report outlines the five lessons on school health that we’d like to see our leaders bring to DC, along with personal stories and policy recommendations for each.

Why do these Chicago lessons matter? We know that one of the greatest challenges facing our leaders is to provide a good education and a health-promoting environment for students in urban school districts serving low-income communities of color. The Chicago Public Schools system serves more than 400,000 students at more than 650 schools. African-American and Latino students comprise 85 percent of the district’s student population. More than 83 percent of the student population is considered low-income, and the district serves more than 56 million school meals per year.

I can’t imagine a more appropriate place for these lessons to originate: both the challenges and the promise of this system make the lessons learned here valuable for our nation as a whole.

I hope you’ll take a moment to check out the full report and share it with your colleagues. We’d love to hear your feedback and invite you to sign on as a supporter of the policy recommendations. But first, let me share a quick summary of the five lessons:

1. A healthy school environment supports learning.
2. Healthy school meals are critical for student health and learning.
3. Physical activity supports student health and helps students focus on learning.
4. School nurses are important for promoting student health.
5. Parent and stakeholder engagement can be a powerful catalyst for making school-based change.

These are simple, common-sense lessons. Although the related policy changes are not always easy to implement, we hope that our leaders will make it a priority to consider these lessons and the value of healthy schools.  As schoolchildren in Chicago can attest, small changes make a big difference: a healthy meal, a few minutes of physical activity and clean classroom air all go a long way to help children focus and do their best at school.

A “New Day” for School Food: Talking with Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

The USDA plays a major role in shaping our nation’s school food, so I was happy to see this recent Washington Post interview with Tom Vilsack, the new Secretary of Agriculture. In the interview, Secretary Vilsack declares that “there’s a new day here” and that he is committed to pursuing policies that support healthful eating – including healthy food at school.

Vilsack discusses his own struggle with weight as a child and says that “there are ways in which we can partner with local school districts and states to do a better job to provide nutrition options at school.”

When asked about his specific ideas for improving school lunches, he says:

Part of my responsibility is to find people who share my concern and have more expertise than I do. People we nominate will be people who understand this issue and have the desire to effect change. The specifics of how we can do this will come from the experts. My job is to listen to the president, who is the ultimate vision maker, articulate his vision to the people who work in this department and add my two cents' worth. The vision is, he wants more nutritious food in schools.

You can read the full interview here.

I am encouraged by Vilsack’s discussion of these issues and look forward to working with his administration and advocates around the country to reach a truly healthful “new day” in our nation’s school kitchens and cafeterias.

USDA Assessment Highlights Need for School Food Reform

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

Last month, the USDA released the results of their most recent comprehensive assessment of school food programs.  These findings demonstrate how great the need for reform is in our school food system. Below is a summary of some of the key findings in the survey:

1. The widespread presence and consumption of  unhealthy snacks and a la cart items continues to be a problem in schools.  Specifically, the study found that 73 percent of elementary schools, 97 percent of middle schools and 100 percent of high schools offer “competitive foods” (the lingo for food offered in addition to the USDA school meal – often snack food sold in vending machines, school stores, or a la carte lines).  Over 40 percent of students consumed one or more competitive food daily with consumption increasing with grade level.  These foods continue to be low-nutrient, energy-dense food and beverages. 
2. The study also found a relationship between the food offered and the weight status of students. Participants in school breakfast had a lower likelihood of overweight and obesity than non-participants.  Elementary students in food programs that offered French fries or dessert more than once a week were more likely to be overweight.  Students in food program that offered fresh fruits and raw vegetables consumed significantly fewer calories from low-nutrient, energy dense food.
3. Schools were still struggling to meet federal standards. Fewer than one-third of public schools offered lunches that met the standard for total fat or saturated fat although 85 percent met standards for protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.  Although schools are not required to offer meals that are consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines, the study found that only 8 percent of the schools met the standard for fiber and none met the recommendation for sodium.

Additional insights into the study can be found in this report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation [pdf], which offers charts and other study highlights.  

The February 2009 supplement to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, titled The School Food Environment, Children's Diets, and Obesity: Findings from the Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study, presents a comprehensive analysis of data and is available to subscribers at http://www.adajournal.org.

These findings certainly underscore the need for improvements to the school food program. Click here to see HSC’s recommendations, sign a petition in support of these recommendations and join our growing network of activists working to change the future of school food.