Change is never easy. Some parents and students have found that the big changes in the school lunch program this school year are hard to swallow. But with more than 31 million children being served nationwide each year through the National School Lunch Program, the importance of school food can’t be overstated.
Given this program’s wide reach, the success of these changes may be truly transformational in improving student health. Some of the key ways that schools are meeting the USDA’s new nutrition standards include:
• Ensuring students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week;
• Substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods;
• Offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties;
• Limiting calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper
portion size and Increasing the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and
sodium.
It is hard to argue with the value of these nutritional improvements, yet to some these changes may seem drastic. But if we step back and look at just how unhealthy children’s school food choices were in the last couple of decades, the need becomes clear.
School food service directors and staff have been greatly challenged by the new lunch program, yet they’ve worked very hard and they have had much success in bringing healthy changes to school cafeterias. Parents might want to go have lunch with their
child and meet the school food service staff. Parents may want to learn firsthand that improving school food can be a tasty experience! Bon appétit!
For more information about healthy school meals, visit www.TrayTalk.org.
Tom Hohensee
Cooperstown
Hohensee is a Healthy School New York Coordinator.
Letters to the Editor
Support school lunch program and staff
- Letters to the Editor
-
-
Natural gas boom is a false promise
Support for the Constitution and Leatherstocking Pipelines is based primarily on the false promise of affordable shale gas. False, since the price of this gas is too volatile to make it a reliable energy source in the future.
Continued ... -
Locally led baseball team deserves support
Springtime has finally come to us in the greater Oneonta area, with its warmth, sunshine, emerging shrubs, green lawns, with more smiles than frowns, and how we relish it!
Continued ... -
City should improve access to river
Many cities make the river running through it a focal point for its scenic qualities. By doing this, they attract more people to their city to spend some time there and also utilize the stores, restaurants and hotels.
Continued ... -
Otsego County veteran's director is top-notch
The veterans of Otsego County are being well-served by Jack Henson, director. I feel he is the best director that has ever served in this county.
Continued ... -
Make sure Blodgett project holds water
Many thanks to Dennis Finn and the Planning Commission for allowing unrestricted public comment on the Blodgett Drive housing project at the commission’s May 15 meeting. Most who spoke are residents of the area who know the safety and drainage issues well.
Continued ... -
We need a law against Google Glass
It’s a technological marvel; a product ahead of its time, or at least ahead of the law for the time being, that is.
Continued ... - Monday, May 20, 2013
-
No foreign aid until our needs are met
I couldn't agree more with Sal Furnari's letter published in the Weekend edition. I would also like to add that when I was growing up I was taught to "take care of my own first" and then share with others.
Continued ... -
It's sad to see Rich Murphy retire
It was a sad day for Otsego County when Rich Murphy announced his intention to retire from the county board at the end of his current term.
Continued ... -
Liberal media only care about themselves
Sounds like it all depends on 'whose ox is being gored' when it comes to the illegal phone tappings of reporters.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 18, 2013
-
Public financing could cure pols' paranoia
Paranoia is an irrational fear of persons, places or events that have no basis in reality.
Continued ... -
Resort proposal is just too big
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is a New York state taxpayer-owned recreational area. People who have paid for BMSC with their hard-earned dollars should not have to also pay for the infrastructure necessary to assure an enjoyable ski experience for the visitors to a private developer's monster mega-mall/spa resort on a mountaintop.
Continued ... - Friday, May 17, 2013
-
Redistributing wealth just isn't fair
Yesterday a dozen of us were eating lunch in the break room where I work, most of us complaining that all we could afford was peanut butter and jelly and bologna ... except for Rob.
Continued ... -
Hoping many will adopt a grave
It's that time of year again; adopt a grave. I am hoping when you buy flowers or a plant for a family member or friend's grave that you will buy some for another grave. I wish everyone would open up their heart and honor someone else by putting flowers on their grave. My hope is that groups, families and youth groups adopt a cemetery or a grave, and at least once a year that person or persons will be remembered. I started out with two and now am up to 14. It doesn't have to be expensive; just what your heart tells you to do.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 16, 2013
-
Blame Dems for Social Security woes
In his inaugural address President Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
-
Newman housing would benefit city
I would like to comment on the excellent letter written recently by Alan Cleinman concerning the "Newman Development."
Continued ... -
Paying what you can afford won't work
Our president said:
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 14, 2013
-
What will happen when Manor is gone?
I’m writing this letter as I was unable to attend the Otsego County’s board meeting in regards to the sale of the Otsego Manor. My grandmother is 75 and resides at the Otsego Manor; she has for the last three years. The county has a lien on her home to recoup money that they have spent out in regards to Medicaid. My family does not mind this as we are thankful the staff is able to provide the care we cannot.
Continued ... -
We must move ahead to thrive
Recently, we had some compelling letters and opinions on the gas industry and how it can benefit local economies. Marie Lusins' letter explained how the Manor home and its woes could be, or could have been saved with vertical-well gas drilling.
Continued ... - Monday, May 13, 2013
-
Public scrutiny crucial to governing
We in Delaware County are often asked by Otsego County residents why there is not a stronger county-wide response to fracking or pipelines or the closing of county homes.
Continued ... -
Pa.'s water troubles may help New York
The biggest concern I hear from my neighbors about New York state developing natural gas has to do with drinking water protection.
Continued ...
-
Natural gas boom is a false promise
