Parent Perspective: Successful Advocacy for Healthy School Lunch

Today we have a blog by HSC intern Christine Andersen. Christine recently completed her freshman year of high school and will be sharing her perspective on the HSC blog throughout her internship this summer.

Christine’s first post, Student Perspective: Making the Change to Healthier School Food, described the transition to healthier food and the impact it had on students. In today’s post, Christine interviews her father Bill, who was instrumental in making the change at her school. Thanks to Bill for sharing this perspective!

C: How did you know where to begin in the process of improving the lunch program?
B: I did not know at first, but I started by writing a letter to the principal of my children's grade school. I did not get much response, so then I wrote to a school board member, and finally the superintendent.

C: You ended up speaking in Springfield about reform in school lunches. What did you talk about?
B: I spoke at the hearing for the junk food ban and testified in favor of it. While I was there, it amazed me how many school nutritionists were against the ban.

C: Are you still active in anything related to school nutrition?
B: I am still involved with HSC and in the future, I would like to work on larger projects and with other districts in the area.

C: What have you heard from the parents of my peers regarding the previous food?
B: In general, parents were not unhappy with the old food because they did not realize how bad it was.

C: As a member of the school board finance committee, how did you see the change in the lunch program affect the finances of the school?
B: Contrary to others’ predictions, finances of the lunch program improved greatly after the changes.

C: Do you think it is possible for other schools to make a change similar to that of our school?
B: Yes, it definitely is. Those who argue against it argue that kids won't like it and participation will go down, or that it will cost too much and the school will lose money. However, in our case and in the cases of other schools I have read about, none of this was true!

C: What words of advice can you give to others who would like to go and make a change in their schools?

B: Parents have the responsibility to try and improve their lunch programs and should not feel intimidated by the school boards or school district employees who say it cannot be done.

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Plus: Read about the new lunch program at Christine's school in her first blog, here.

Comments

[Claire]

Great interview! I'd love to hear more about how the lunch program finances improved as a result of the more healthful food. Was it because participation increased? By how much?

[Mendy Heaps]

Bill and Christine - I admire what you did very much! I hope one day I can be as successful in my school district.
Every day I continue to be amazed at the parents and school employees who think offering only nourishing food to students is radical and too extreme an idea. They argue that it is a student's right to be able to buy junk food if they want it. I just shake my head and keep fighting to get better food for my students. Thanks for sharing you story.

[scott fetch]

I am a school board pres. in north dakota and i am pushing a committee to improve our lunch program. can you give me some guidelines to set up a program with more food choices and how we implement the program.

[Rochelle]

Scott,

I'll follow up with a full email, but wanted to make a quick note to say thanks for your interest. I have three quick thoughts:

1) Beginning in 2006, all school districts who participate in the federal food programs are required to have a district wellness policy. Start by reviewing your wellness policy, looking at what was required in current status. If necessary, reconvene a district-wide committee to make sure that the policy is up to date and being implemented.

2) A number of organizations have developed recommended best practices for school meal programs. I would recommend using one of these standards as a guide. Take a look at USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge or Alliance for Healthier Generations. Also, you should know that that the USDA is in the process of updating school meal guidelines.

3) If your food service teams needs assistance with the transition, there are some resources available. The School Nutrition Association or thelunchbox.org are two of many resources.

Best of luck and thanks for your leadership on this important issue.

Rochelle Davis