I’m a pretty boring guy when it comes to lunch. Leftovers from dinner the day before are what land in my lunch sack. Non-processed and easy. It’s a healthy option each day.
As a ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ School District student, I was a hot lunch kid. Decades after I was a student I still remember my favorites — baked chicken with mashed potatoes at Marshall Junior High and pizza day at Harrison Elementary School. There was always a little fist pump after listening to the hot lunch menu each morning on WCLO when those came over the airwaves.
During Gov. Evers speech to our state legislature last week he shared his budget wish list. I haven’t seen eye-to-eye with many things our governor has proposed since he’s taken office but his concept to offer lunch, no matter your economic status, piqued my interest. At least the concept.
My kiddos have gone through the district. While many things remained the same from the time I graduated until the time they started school one thing is much different — the declining lunch offering.
A quick look at the menu for lunch on the district’s website shows a variety of options at the elementary level. Some sound decent, while others are a tad head scratching. Can I get behind mini corn dogs? As a kid, of course. There are chicken nuggets and they’re a staple in any school lunch menu. I’m sure they land at the top of the list for students, but let’s be real — it’s a super quick lunch for kids but not the healthiest.
What about the ultra-processed, but whole wheat Uncrustables? It’s on the menu. As a parent, I don’t see it as a super option. As a teacher? Those young students are dropping in half the recommended daily sugars (most added) in a 15-minute sitting. That sugar crash around 2 p.m. must be a tough part of the work day.
Do the options our district give meet state and USDA requirements? They do, but look at the overall health of our nation. I don’t put a ton of merit into those requirements.
While dramatized for television, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution program showed that processed food didn’t need to be a part of a school menu and could be done within budget. Do we need another food revolution? Before we take Gov. Evers’ proposal seriously, we need to reevaluate what we offer for breakfast and lunch.
I am not in favor of adding billions of dollars to the budget to shove processed garbage in front of our future leaders.
