I am appealing to the list for help.  On Wednesday, March 7th, our local PTA
will be having a meeting entitled "You Are What You Eat".  The topic will be
addressing the abysmal state of our school lunch program.  Surveys were sent
home with each student asking the parents to rate the lunch program on a
scale of 1-5 (yours truly sent back -5).  Additionally, parents were asked
to list the 3 most offensive meals and the 3 favorite meals they thought
were on the current menu.  Finally, we were asked to give comments and
suggestions for foods we might like to see on future menus.  I won't bore
you with the answers I provided, but I will say that when I returned my
completed survey to the principal, her hand looked hot!!!!

Here's where I need help.  I do not have any initials behind my name.  I am
just a paleo mom who wants to feel like she can make a difference.  I have
so much information in my head, but don't know how or where to begin when
they open the floor  for questions this Wednesday.  I almost feel as though
I have been waiting for this type of forum ever since I became a parent.
Now, here it is, and I am tongue tied!!!

So, I want to post a few days worth of a typical current menu to this list.
I thought if I could get a breakdown of exactly what is LACKING, and exactly
what is in this food, maybe the powers that be might listen.  If I kept my
responses from getting too emotional, they might not brand me a nut, at
least to my face (HA).  So, Amadeus, if you feel like running your data
charts, I would appreciate a breakdown of protein, fat, saturated fat,
carbs, calories, vitamins.  But more importantly, how can I successfully
show this group who is very conservative, that on paper,  the food is
lacking in nutrients and downright disease promoting?  The school dietician
knows she is going to be facing some fire this week, but she  stands by the
USDA food pyramid guidelines.  Ironically, did you know that March 5-9 is
National School Breakfast Week?

Here's one weeks worth of menu for the entire K-12 school district:


Monday
Italian Dunkers (Hot Dog Bun Deep Fried with Cheese & Tomato Sauce)
Hamburger/White Bun
Tossed Salad (iceburg)
Carrots Cooked
White Bread
Applesauce-sweetened
Fruit, Fresh (Apple, Orange, Banana)
Juice (orange, apple, grape)
Milk - white or chocolate

Tuesday
Spaghetti/meat sauce
Turkey Sub (white roll, processed turkey breast)
Peanut Butter (Skippy Brand) & Grape Jelly (sweetened)
Tossed Salad (iceburg)
Green Beans
White Bread
Pears - cooked, prepackaged in sugar syrup
Fruit, Fresh
Juice, Assorted
Milk - White or Chocolate

Wednesday
Chicken Pattie (Breaded-Prepackaged) Served on Hamburger Bun
Sloppy Joe/White Bun
Peanut Butter (Skippy Brand) & Grape Jelly
Tossed Salad (iceburg)
French Fries
White Bread
Packaged cherries in syrup
Fruit, fresh (apples, oranges, bananas)
Fruit Juices
Milk - White or Chocolate

Thursday
Garlic Pizza (prepackaged)
Tuna on White Bun
Peanut Butter & Jelly on White Bread
Tossed Salad (iceburg)
Corn
White Bread
Peaches in syrup
Fruit, Fresh
Fruit Juices (orange, apple, grape) apple & grape have sugar
Milk - White or Chocolate

Friday
Macaroni & Cheese
Fish Sandwich (Fried Breaded Fish on White Hamburger Bun)
Peanut Butter & Jelly on White Bread
Tossed Salad
Peas
White Bread
Apple Crisp
Fruit, Fresh
Fruit Juices
Milk - White or Chocolate

Well, there you have it.  I am grateful to anyone who might like to help.
Feel free to e-mail me privately, unless this list would like to know the
results.  Writing this menu reinforced how depressing the state of modern
food really is.  I live in a very rural, economically poor area.  Over 85%
of our children eat school food, including breakfast.  Most get government
subsidies, because their parents can not afford the $1.00 per day charge.
The breakfast choices are worse than you can imagine.  All the breakfast
food is prepackaged from fast food chains.  For most of these kids, the
school food is the best that they eat all day.... Food for thought, indeed.

Thank you all!

Judy Genova, cavegirl (who will even shave her legs and put on a nice dress
for this meeting!!!!!!)


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