You will need some committed volunteers, but they don't need to be nutrition advisors or doctors, and they don't need endless time to devote. You don't need fundraising, or a budget, though a little pocket change for taste testing may come in handy.
Who you are, how you work best, and whom you must influence will play a major role in determining how to best organize your campaign. "There is no right or wrong way to approach your child's school," advises Barbara Gates of Project Healthy Beginnings. "We all bring our spirit and individuality to our advocacy and different approaches work for different people. But always be polite, professional, and diplomatic, while staying confident in knowing you are working for something that is good for kids."
To begin there are important initial steps you can take that will increase your knowledge and build your networking base. Since a good foundation is the key to success, we recommend you adopt those suggestions listed below that best suit your objectives.
VERY IMPORTANT: Join the PTO / PTA!
The first step you should take is to join your local Parent Teacher Association. Attend the first meetings with the sole purpose of getting to know the members, especially the officers, and familiarizing yourself with their agendas. Working with the PTA is an important aspect of your Healthy Meals for Healthy Kid's initiative. In time, you will want to make a presentation and request the formation of a nutrition committee; but for now, you're making good progress just by becoming a familiar face at the meetings.
Research the Local School Lunch Program
Visit the school cafeteria.
Take lunch with your children at school. Note what is served and how it is prepared. Consider the following:
• How palatable are the meals?
• Are vegetables fried, stir-fried, baked, steamed or boiled?
• Is food canned, frozen or fresh?
• Are there fresh fruit and / or veggies available?
• Does the cafeteria use high fiber, low fat, and low sodium foods?
• Are there plant-based or vegetarian options available?
• Do the meals appear to be made on site, or brought in from another location?
• Are warm dishes hot, and cold, cold?
• Do children have enough time to eat their meals?
• Is the cafeteria environment comfortable, or overly crowded and noisy?
• Do they serve junk foods? Where?Talk to your kids, ask your children if they and their friends like the school lunch, or what they like and dislike most. Do they eat their meals, or throw them away?
Call the school, ask how and where your child's meals are prepared. Are they prepared on-site, out-serviced (prepared by a company like Sodexho-Marriot or a fast food company like Subway or Domino's) or are they prepared with other schools meals in a large school district kitchen and delivered to your child's school.
Obtain copies of school menus; review them regularly, and keep track of how often differing menus are offered.
• Find out if there are any vegan or vegetarian options. If so, make a list of options served over the course of one month.
• Similarly, make a list of options that could easily be vegan or vegetarian, but are not (baked potatoes, spaghetti, Mexican fare, etc.).
• If there is ethnic diversity in your school, find out what meals are served that satisfy these children's eating habits. Are they prepared in a healthy manner?
Compiling and reviewing this information will help you accurately assess your school lunch program, and provide complete information to interested parties. Keep careful records of your observations.
Because there is a lot to do, even before you get started, you may wish to enlist the help of other parents. Since building a team is an important aspect of your effort, the sooner you bring supporters on board, the easier the work will be.
Familiarize Yourself With State Efforts
Each state's approach to school lunches and healthy meals will vary. Some states, like Hawaii and Florida, are very conscientious about improving school meals, while others are still encouraging meals based on the former food groups. To find out what standards are being encouraged and what efforts are being made to improve school meals, you should begin by contacting your State Department of Education.
A quick search using the words "food service", your state's name and the State Department of Education should provide you a website that list's your state's goals and contacts.
Phone the Department and explain that you are a concerned parent, interested to see healthier meals served at schools. Your tone should be simply inquisitive. Ask what efforts are being made in your state to improve the quality of school meals and what you can do to help. They should offer to put you in touch with state leaders who are working to improve school lunches.
Research National School Lunch Efforts
You will want to familiarize yourself with National efforts like CHOICE, which can provide you with important support materials. CHOICE recommends you start by reviewing the following materials:
1. The 5 A Day and Dole 5 A Day websites.
2. Team Nutrition's "Changing the Scene; A Guide to Local Action
Order the materials. Bring them with you to meetings. Use as a resource. They are impressive and give a good insight into perceptions surrounding the school lunch program.3. The ADA's Position on Plant-based and Vegetarian meals and the ADA Vegetarian Nutrition Practice Group.
4. Center for Science in the Public Interests School Lunch Resources
6. PCRM's Healthy School Lunches website
Effecting Change
Overview | How to Begin | Know Your Audience
Build A Team | Actions | Support
