Foot In Mouth Disease

No it wasn't Romney - or Obama ... although Michelle might have a lot to do with it ...

The USDA shows just how HEARTLESS the ADMINISTRATION can be:

SCHOOL LUNCH CONTROVERSY
USDA response

"One thing I think we need to keep in mind as kids say they're still hungry is that many children aren't used to eating fruits and vegetables at home, much less at school. So its a change in what they are eating. If they are still hungry, it's that they are not eating all the food that's being offered.
Dr. Janey Thornton, USDA
Via Kelo, September 18, 2012

Let's also remember that in order to justify the lunch program the government has said that for many kids THIS IS THE ONLY MEAL THEY GET during the day ...

thus the reason so many districts are being allowed to continue the program over school breaks as well.

So how much do they say the kids need PER DAY?

K-5: 650 calories
6-8: 700 calories
9-12: 850 calories

well that certainly does NOT look like a program designed for kids who might only get one meal per day ...

Kids on sport teams will naturally need MORE calories since they use it up and have higher metabolisms than the average student ... and by that same token one could argue that wheelchair-bound students would likely need less especially if the chairs are motorized {I'm not saying that, I'm just "devil's advocating here}

but the thing that struck me in the quote was:

" ... children aren't used to eating fruits and vegetables at home ... "

here's the issue ... just because you are getting as school lunch doesn't mean YOU DON'T EAT HEALTHY

but it IMPLIES that POOR FAMILIES don't feed their kids fruits or veggies!!!

also:

" ... If they are still hungry, it's that they are not eating all the food ..."

Wait a second, wait a second, wait a second - so these kids that are HUNGRY are simply not eating ... but I thought the whole point was that they were hungry by no fault of their own so you had to feed them - so now you are saying they are hungry BY THEIR OWN CHOICE???

Here's an idea - JANEY - put some FILLER back into the meal ...

keep everything else but put back in the bread, the rice, the mashed potatoes.

This is what happens when you put people in charge who are only interested in CALORIES but don't understand the effects that the school day actually has on a kids body!

Heck - if I had my way, there would be a 15 minute nap time every day in high school.

Longer lunch periods too - did you know that by the time kids get through the lunch line, find a table to sit, and pick up their spork - many only have 10 minutes to eat??

If they are going to cut the calories like this, then one essential thing they MUST do is offer a child at LEAST 20 minutes actual EATING TIME so their stomach can properly digest the food and register that it is "full"

when I was in high school we got a full hour for lunch ... maybe 45 minutes ... but certainly not the 20-25 minutes allotted to each eating shift now.

Just because an adult can scarf down a meal that quickly doesn't mean a child should -- actually i think it has more to do with trying to fit 7 class periods in a 7 hour day ... but they did it when I went to school - what's changed?

This is why we pack home lunches ...
sandwich
pudding
cookies
treat
milk from school
(I know, there is a lack of veggie & fruit, but then "they aren't used to" it's according to the USDA)

PS:
the districts also have PERMISSION to re-serve veggies/fruits over and over to the students if they don't eat them ... well the stuff that doesn't leave the lunch counter ... so those people out there that don't believe in "Left Overs" - ha! Your kids could be getting it EVERYDAY and you will never know it!