Howdy all,
I had a couple of interesting conversations about the lunch situation at 321 a week or so ago with one of the co-presidents of the PTA and the 321 science teacher who is also the staff member in charge of their healthy foods initiative.
The PTA Pres confirmed that they don't have any active parents working on the issue and that she thought there was a role for us to play. Perhaps they'll mention it in an official PTA meeting or notice if we want them to? She then introduced me to the science teacher. This was all rather informal, at the pumpkin sale, so I've forgotten their names - though I did give them both my card. They should be easy to track down though.
The science teacher was in a rush to get to class, but we talked for a while and she told me about a number of the healthy food initiatives they've introduced or experimented with. Highlights include:
There is no deep frying in the 321 kitchen. While they have items like chicken fingers, they are baked to heat them up (though pre fried);
Every lunch comes with carrots... how fresh, I'm not sure. I've attached a link to a NY Times article on carrots and city schools I read recently below that is very informative about the city bureaucracy and school lunch program in general;
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/17/dining/17carr.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ei=5088&en=7ef27c6a0052e909&ex=1350360000&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Every lunch may also come with fresh apple slices (I wasn't 100% sure on this point.)
They've tried some other approaches like giving kids the choice of making fresh pizza with healthy ingredients or having the bulk frozen slices, but the kids always went for the less healthy alternative. This did indicate that the school does have a bit of leeway in devising lunch alternatives like this - that's good news;
She offered to meet with us as well to go over what they're doing and hear us out.
I've also attached a link to an article from the NY Times from about 2 months ago that reported on a direct link being found between common preservatives and colorings found in kids' food and attention span problems. I'm interested in following up with the school on this issue as we go forward.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/06/health/research/06hyper.html
Neal
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THE SCHOOL NUTRITION ACTION COALITION -- working together to improve school food
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THINGS YOU CAN DO
- START A FOOD COMMITTEE -- Every public school is required by law to have a wellness committee, so if your school doesn't have one, you need to start one. Put up signs, invite teachers and staff and parents, and just have a meeting.
- DISTRIBUTE A LIST OF HEALTHY SNACKS -- and where to buy them near your school. Ask for support from class parents, and just pass it out in backpack mail.
- TAKE FIELD TRIPS TO FARMERS' MARKETS -- Every NYC kids should be introduced to our amazing network of farmers' markets. Make sure they get to have some cider and apples, or something delicious!
- HAVE A "FAVORITE HEALTHY SNACK DAY" -- Parents come in and prepare a healthy snack with the kids. It's all about exposure...
- GET KIDS GARDENING -- Studies have shown that it's not enough to improve the food in the cafeteria. Kids have to be gardening and learnign about food in the classroom if you want them to embrace the new foods. Use containers inside the classroom or in the playground.
- CELEBRATE REGIONAL PRODUCE -- That's apples for us here in NYC!
- TEACH A COOKING CLASS -- Talk to the afterschool coordinator at your school. All you really need is a hot plate or a toaster oven. This is pure PR for your food committee. People LOVE when you get kids cooking! (Hint: always make extra food to offer to teachers, parents, security guards, etc
- GET RID OF CHOCOLATE MILK -- The Office of School Foods leaves this decision up to the principal in each school. You can ask for chocolate milk just one day a week if you want to start small.
- COMPLAIN TO THE POLITICIANS -- Real change is going to happen at the federal level. Tell your representatives that you support local fresh foods in the schools.
Blog Archive
Suggested Snacks List - English Version
Healthy Snacks for Kids
Healthy snacks keep children’s energy levels up and help them focus on learning. Snacks also boost nutrition when they contain protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and healthy fats. It’s best to avoid excessive sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and any artificial sweeteners, color and preservatives. Combining two or more different snacks is a good idea, since kids like to have a choice! Below is a list of suggestions - enjoy!
Vegetables
- grape tomatoes, baby carrots, cucumber sticks, celery - good raw
- broccoli, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, green beans - delicious steamed or boiled for just a minute or two
- frozen peas, corn kernels, diced carrots – yes, straight from the bag, not defrosted!
- try dips to go with the vegetables, such as hummus; cottage cheese blended with Ranch salad dressing; salsa; or peanut butter blended with a little water, soy sauce and rice vinegar.
Grains
- whole-grain crackers or cereal: make sure that they are not high in sugar, and that whole grain is the first ingredient. Good brands include Kashi, Barbara’s, Annie’s, and TLC
- rice crackers (Asian-style), or rice cakes – good with peanut butter or cheese
- granola bars, preferably low in sugar - Kashi makes a good one
- baked tortilla chips or fresh tortillas with guacamole or salsa
- whole-wheat bread, pitas or rolls
- whole-grain or multigrain pretzels, preferably unsalted
- natural popcorn, preferably reduced-salt type
Fruits
- fresh fruit is best, either whole or cut up: try strawberries, grapes, apples, pears, melon, etc.
- dried fruit –sulfite-free if possible (some kids are allergic to sulfites): try raisins, cherries, mango, etc.
- applesauce, unsweetened if possible
- fruit leather, with no sugar added (Costco carries a brand called Fruitabu)
- dips for fruit: try vanilla yogurt, or frozen berries, thawed and pureed in a blender – the color is great. Nut butters, such as peanut, almond or cashew nut butter, are delicious with crisp apples.
Legumes
- soy nuts, roasted chickpeas, and peanuts are super-nutritious snack foods
- edamame (green soy beans) can be bought frozen, with or without their pods
- most legumes make delicious dips when blended with flavorings - try white beans with olive oil, garlic and lemon juice, or black beans blended with salsa. Serve with pita chips, baked tortilla chips and/or vegetables
- hummus comes in several flavors and is tasty with pita bread, crackers and veggies
Dairy
- mozzarella sticks
- small cubes of hard cheese, such as cheddar, gouda or Reggiano, served with fruit such as apples, pears or grapes, or with crackers
- vanilla yogurt and fresh or frozen berries
- vanilla yogurt and granola or whole-grain cereal
Meats
- sliced roast turkey - rolled up or folded
- no-nitrate salami or ham (Applegate brand is good)
Healthy snacks keep children’s energy levels up and help them focus on learning. Snacks also boost nutrition when they contain protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and healthy fats. It’s best to avoid excessive sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and any artificial sweeteners, color and preservatives. Combining two or more different snacks is a good idea, since kids like to have a choice! Below is a list of suggestions - enjoy!
Vegetables
- grape tomatoes, baby carrots, cucumber sticks, celery - good raw
- broccoli, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, green beans - delicious steamed or boiled for just a minute or two
- frozen peas, corn kernels, diced carrots – yes, straight from the bag, not defrosted!
- try dips to go with the vegetables, such as hummus; cottage cheese blended with Ranch salad dressing; salsa; or peanut butter blended with a little water, soy sauce and rice vinegar.
Grains
- whole-grain crackers or cereal: make sure that they are not high in sugar, and that whole grain is the first ingredient. Good brands include Kashi, Barbara’s, Annie’s, and TLC
- rice crackers (Asian-style), or rice cakes – good with peanut butter or cheese
- granola bars, preferably low in sugar - Kashi makes a good one
- baked tortilla chips or fresh tortillas with guacamole or salsa
- whole-wheat bread, pitas or rolls
- whole-grain or multigrain pretzels, preferably unsalted
- natural popcorn, preferably reduced-salt type
Fruits
- fresh fruit is best, either whole or cut up: try strawberries, grapes, apples, pears, melon, etc.
- dried fruit –sulfite-free if possible (some kids are allergic to sulfites): try raisins, cherries, mango, etc.
- applesauce, unsweetened if possible
- fruit leather, with no sugar added (Costco carries a brand called Fruitabu)
- dips for fruit: try vanilla yogurt, or frozen berries, thawed and pureed in a blender – the color is great. Nut butters, such as peanut, almond or cashew nut butter, are delicious with crisp apples.
Legumes
- soy nuts, roasted chickpeas, and peanuts are super-nutritious snack foods
- edamame (green soy beans) can be bought frozen, with or without their pods
- most legumes make delicious dips when blended with flavorings - try white beans with olive oil, garlic and lemon juice, or black beans blended with salsa. Serve with pita chips, baked tortilla chips and/or vegetables
- hummus comes in several flavors and is tasty with pita bread, crackers and veggies
Dairy
- mozzarella sticks
- small cubes of hard cheese, such as cheddar, gouda or Reggiano, served with fruit such as apples, pears or grapes, or with crackers
- vanilla yogurt and fresh or frozen berries
- vanilla yogurt and granola or whole-grain cereal
Meats
- sliced roast turkey - rolled up or folded
- no-nitrate salami or ham (Applegate brand is good)
Meriendas Sanas
Una buena merienda le da energía a los niños y les ayuda a concentrarse en sus estudios. Si tiene proteina, vitaminas, minerales, fibras y grasas saludables, alimenta más. Es mejor evitar el exceso de azúcar, el “high fructose corn syrup,” las grasas hidrogenadas, y los conservantes, edulcorantes y colorantes artificiales. Ofrecer dos o más alimentos es buena idea, ya que a los niños ¡les gusta tener opciones! A continuación aparecen algunas ideas para hacer meriendas sanas - ¡que las disfrute!
Vegetales
- para comer crudos: tomatitos, zanahorias “baby,” pepino cortado en palitos, apio
- para comer ligeramente cocidos: brécol (broccoli), coliflor, guisantes “sugar snap”, habichuelas tiernas
- para comer congelados, tal cual vienen: guisantes, maíz desgranado, cubitos de zanahoria
- pruebe diferentes salsas para mojar los vegetales, tales como hummus; requesón licuado con aderezo Ranch; salsa mexicana; o mantequilla de maní combinada con un poco de salsa de soja, vinagre de arroz y agua
Granos
- galletas y cereales integrales: asegúrese que no tengan mucho azúcar, y que el ingrediente principal sea un grano integral. Entre las mejores marcas están Kashi, Barbara’s, Annie’s, y TLC
- galletas de arroz (chinas) o bizcochitos de arroz hinchado –buenos con mantequilla de maní o queso
- barritas de cereales (“granola bars”) – preferiblemente con poca azucar; la marca Kashi es buena
- tortilla chips hechas al horno (por ejemplo de la marca Guiltless Gourmet) o bien tortillas frescas, con salsa mexicana o salsa de frijoles negros
- pan pita, bollitos o pan de sandwich de harina integral
- pretzels integrales o multigrano, preferiblemente sin granos de sal
- palomitas de maíz – se consiguen con menos sal (“lightly salted” o “reduced salt’)
Frutas
- la fruta fresca es la mejor opción. Se puede servir entera o cortada: fresas, manzanas, peras, uvas, melón, sandía, kiwis, etc.
- fruta seca – sin sulfatos al ser posible (pueden causar alergias): pasas, cerezas, mango, albaricoque...
- compota de manzana (“applesauce”), sin endulzar
- meriendas de fruta concentrada (“fruit leather”) - Costco tiene una marca llamada Fruitabu
- salsas para mojar fruta: pruebe yogur de vainilla, o bien frambuesas o fresas congeladas, pasadas por la batidora – el color le gustará a los niños. Las mantequillas de nueces como la de almendra, la de maní o la de pajuil son deliciosas con tajadas crujientes de manzana.
Legumbres
- las habas de soja tostadas (“soy nuts”), los garbanzos tostados, y los cacahuetes son super-nutritivos
- el edamame (habas de soja verdes) se consigue congelado, con o sin cáscara
- casi todas las legumbres se pueden sazonar y licuar para hacer deliciosas cremas – por ejemplo, habichuelas blancas con aceite de oliva, ajo y jugo de limón, o bien frijoles negros licuados con salsa mexicana. Sírvalas con pan pita tostado, chips de tortilla, y/o verduras
- el humus – un puré de garbanzos sazonado – se consigue de diferentes variedades y es sabroso acompañado de pan pita, galletas o vegetales
Lácteos
- palitos de queso mozzarella
- cubitos de queso firme, tal como queso de bola, gouda, cheddar o parmesano Reggiano, acompañados de manzanas, peras, uvas etc., o bien con galletas
- yogur de vainilla con fresas, arándanos (blueberries) o frambuesas, frescas o congeladas
- yogur de vainilla con granola u otro cereal de grano integral
Fiambres
- pavo asado en tajadas finas – pruebe enrollarlo para formar “cigarros” o bien doblarlo en cuatro
- salami o jamón sin nitratos – la marca Applegate es buena
Vegetales
- para comer crudos: tomatitos, zanahorias “baby,” pepino cortado en palitos, apio
- para comer ligeramente cocidos: brécol (broccoli), coliflor, guisantes “sugar snap”, habichuelas tiernas
- para comer congelados, tal cual vienen: guisantes, maíz desgranado, cubitos de zanahoria
- pruebe diferentes salsas para mojar los vegetales, tales como hummus; requesón licuado con aderezo Ranch; salsa mexicana; o mantequilla de maní combinada con un poco de salsa de soja, vinagre de arroz y agua
Granos
- galletas y cereales integrales: asegúrese que no tengan mucho azúcar, y que el ingrediente principal sea un grano integral. Entre las mejores marcas están Kashi, Barbara’s, Annie’s, y TLC
- galletas de arroz (chinas) o bizcochitos de arroz hinchado –buenos con mantequilla de maní o queso
- barritas de cereales (“granola bars”) – preferiblemente con poca azucar; la marca Kashi es buena
- tortilla chips hechas al horno (por ejemplo de la marca Guiltless Gourmet) o bien tortillas frescas, con salsa mexicana o salsa de frijoles negros
- pan pita, bollitos o pan de sandwich de harina integral
- pretzels integrales o multigrano, preferiblemente sin granos de sal
- palomitas de maíz – se consiguen con menos sal (“lightly salted” o “reduced salt’)
Frutas
- la fruta fresca es la mejor opción. Se puede servir entera o cortada: fresas, manzanas, peras, uvas, melón, sandía, kiwis, etc.
- fruta seca – sin sulfatos al ser posible (pueden causar alergias): pasas, cerezas, mango, albaricoque...
- compota de manzana (“applesauce”), sin endulzar
- meriendas de fruta concentrada (“fruit leather”) - Costco tiene una marca llamada Fruitabu
- salsas para mojar fruta: pruebe yogur de vainilla, o bien frambuesas o fresas congeladas, pasadas por la batidora – el color le gustará a los niños. Las mantequillas de nueces como la de almendra, la de maní o la de pajuil son deliciosas con tajadas crujientes de manzana.
Legumbres
- las habas de soja tostadas (“soy nuts”), los garbanzos tostados, y los cacahuetes son super-nutritivos
- el edamame (habas de soja verdes) se consigue congelado, con o sin cáscara
- casi todas las legumbres se pueden sazonar y licuar para hacer deliciosas cremas – por ejemplo, habichuelas blancas con aceite de oliva, ajo y jugo de limón, o bien frijoles negros licuados con salsa mexicana. Sírvalas con pan pita tostado, chips de tortilla, y/o verduras
- el humus – un puré de garbanzos sazonado – se consigue de diferentes variedades y es sabroso acompañado de pan pita, galletas o vegetales
Lácteos
- palitos de queso mozzarella
- cubitos de queso firme, tal como queso de bola, gouda, cheddar o parmesano Reggiano, acompañados de manzanas, peras, uvas etc., o bien con galletas
- yogur de vainilla con fresas, arándanos (blueberries) o frambuesas, frescas o congeladas
- yogur de vainilla con granola u otro cereal de grano integral
Fiambres
- pavo asado en tajadas finas – pruebe enrollarlo para formar “cigarros” o bien doblarlo en cuatro
- salami o jamón sin nitratos – la marca Applegate es buena
1 comment:
Thanks for posting, Neal! I didn't know that schools could make choices about things like healther/non-healthier pizzas! It makes me wonder: what are the other choices? Why aren't they being publicized? Why are the children making the choices?
I will try to find out!
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