"Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds Go Hand in Hand:" Sen. Durbin on School Food and Learning, in the Chicago Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times recently published an editorial by Sen. Dick Durbin on the importance of healthy school food for students' learning. Sen. Durbin discusses how his visit to a high school illustrated the need for increased federal funding for the school meal program so that students can eat food that truly fuels their academic success. This is an especially critical discussion as Congress begins work on reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.

Sen. Durbin also recognizes the student chefs of Tilden High School, winners of HSC's Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest:

These students took home the top prize in a cooking competition that challenged them to create a school meal that meets strict dietary standards for only $1 per serving. In preparing their winning meal of vegetable and chicken jambalaya with spicy cheesy cornbread and a side salad, the students saw firsthand the challenges that schools face in serving healthy lunches on incredibly tight budgets. I applaud the students' hard work and creativity; we need more of that kind of out-of-the-box thinking in our schools. But their experience proves that dramatic changes to the school lunch program require more than creative thinking. They require more funding as well.

He continues by connecting good food with students' opportunities to learn:

I reflected on the tremendous academic opportunities the school offers to students -- opportunities that can transform their lives. But in our effort to feed every student's appetite for knowledge, we can't forget that healthy bodies and healthy minds go hand in hand.

Thanks to Sen. Durbin for raising awareness of this vital connection.

You can read the full piece here and raise your voice for healthy school food here.

Comments

[Cindy]

Another great article. HSC's cooking challenge appears to have been a great success. Congratulations!!!