Catholic school nutrition

[aloe]

school-bites.com/taking-a-stand-against-junk-food-in-school/

Keep trying.

 

[aloe]

Here is a sample of a plan of action
school-bites.com/healthy-changes-at-school/
and another
realmomnutrition.com/2012/08/28/soccer-snacktivism-handbook/

 

[pristine2]

I hope you understand that the responses you get here are an indicator of what you will face at the school. If you respond like this you will soon be one of “those” parents who nobody wants to work with…

Yes, that was the purpose of my post – to see how others might react. I expected criticism, but nothing like the personal condemnation that prompted that particular reply of mine.

I guess I need to strengthen my cheek-turning muscles.

 

[pristine2]

Does the school your referring to pay for the meals or does each child pay per meal in a canteen setting?

Yes, We do pay for the meals, but the cost is heavily subsidised by the labour donations of parents in the community, and also a bit by the diocese.

Thanks for the links you posted.

 

[pristine2]

school-bites.com/taking-a-stand-against-junk-food-in-school/

Keep trying.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciated this article, and not only because of my obvious confirmation bias! I was really moved by the exchange between the mother and teacher.

Ridgerunner:

n Japan, by way of another example, the cost of beef is astronomical. And, it’s true, too, that Japanese-Americans are bigger and taller than Japanese raised in Japan.

It is true about the larger size of Japanese-Americans, but it mostly refers to two generations back, when average disposable income in Japan was very low. That has changed in a big way, and the Japanese are much bigger than they used to be, too.

It’s very true that food costs take a higher proportion of household income in Japan. But that shouldn’t be surprising, given that agricultural production there is so small relative to the population. Japanese family farmers also enjoy economic protections US farmers do not, so there is a much higher proportion of family farms. There are also cultural requirements in the production and presentation of even every-day food that raise the expense.

The love and attention invested in the preparation of children’s food in Japan is quite remarkable, and the Japanese eat much healthier than we do as a result. Our food may be cheaper to buy, but we pay a much higher price in the long run:

bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16069217

japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/04/07/lifestyle/the-best-kindergarten-lessons-are-at-lunch-time/

 

[Ridgerunner]

I can’t tell you how much I appreciated this article, and not only because of my obvious confirmation bias! I was really moved by the exchange between the mother and teacher.

Our food may be cheaper to buy, but we pay a much higher price in the long run:

bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16069217

japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/04/07/lifestyle/the-best-kindergarten-lessons-are-at-lunch-time/

Possibly we pay a higher price. But our population isn’t collapsing, either, while theirs is.

I’m sure nobody knows for certain, but it’s possible the higher cost of living in other developed countries is at least a factor in their oncoming population crises. Costs seem to have an effect on whether people do or do not have children.

It may be reasonably doubted whether the “Japanese lifestyle” is, on the whole, superior to our own. But it might be just as well. Japan is perhaps the most xenophobic and racist nation on earth, but if current population trends continue, there is a strong possibility the remaining population might find itself obliged to extend citizenship to immigrants, a strong contingent of whom would probably be Filipinos. Japan might yet become a Catholic majority country. A nation could do worse.

 

[Joe_5859]

In Europe, food costs about twice as much as it does here, relative to peoples’ income. This country long ago decided that food would be as low a segment of peoples’ budgets as possible. Undoubtedly, the industrialization of food production is part of that.

In Japan, by way of another example, the cost of beef is astronomical. And, it’s true, too, that Japanese-Americans are bigger and taller than Japanese raised in Japan. Angus beef from America costs anywhere from $56 to $188/lb, depending on the cut. Kobe beef, expensive in the U.S. at $169/lb costs $1100/lb in Japan.

Choices get made, and there are consequences to those choices.

Maybe this should change, and maybe it shouldn’t. But a great deal would have to change for Americans to begin eating like the French do.

But I don’t know that one could rightly accuse Bavarians of being extraordinarily svelte. Those are big people in every way there is to be big.

I think you raise some good points. There is a lot that has gone into us being where we are at. A lot would also have to go into changing it.

How many Americans are out there that don’t really have the first idea how to cook a meal? When it’s fast and cheap to just heat and eat (or even just grab some fast food), then it’s easy to lose the basics.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I think you raise some good points. There is a lot that has gone into us being where we are at. A lot would also have to go into changing it.

How many Americans are out there that don’t really have the first idea how to cook a meal? When it’s fast and cheap to just heat and eat (or even just grab some fast food), then it’s easy to lose the basics.

Yes. “From scratch” meal preparation is becoming a lost art.

I follow the food industry some because I invest in it from time to time. I recall some years back that Tyson Foods started a big marketing campaign in France. It failed miserably, and Tyson’s pulled it back.

Seems French folk buy whole chickens from neighborhood poulterers and cook it whole. Americans, on the other hand, buy enhanced and varied product (boned breasts, chicken patties) from large stores. Companies like Tyson’s don’t make any money on what they call “commodity chicken”. They make it on enhanced products.

Part of the French way has to do with the decentralized nature of neighborhoods; with commercial enterprises scattered within residential areas. Some of it has to do with the decentralized nature of bulk deliveries. A perhaps bigger part of it has to do with the intergenerational nature of French life. The “shoppers” are often older people who shop every single day for a family of perhaps three generations living together.

But the French also pay more for what they get, have fewer choices and put a lot more labor into anything more complicated than their particular “convenience foods” (bread, cheese, wine).

French wages are also lower and their taxes are higher than is the case in the U.S. If you have more money, maybe you opt for convenience. If you don’t, you work more with basics because you really don’t have alternatives.

 

[Joe_5859]

Yes. “From scratch” meal preparation is becoming a lost art.

I follow the food industry some because I invest in it from time to time. I recall some years back that Tyson Foods started a big marketing campaign in France. It failed miserably, and Tyson’s pulled it back.

Seems French folk buy whole chickens from neighborhood poulterers and cook it whole. Americans, on the other hand, buy enhanced and varied product (boned breasts, chicken patties) from large stores. Companies like Tyson’s don’t make any money on what they call “commodity chicken”. They make it on enhanced products.

Part of the French way has to do with the decentralized nature of neighborhoods; with commercial enterprises scattered within residential areas. Some of it has to do with the decentralized nature of bulk deliveries. A perhaps bigger part of it has to do with the intergenerational nature of French life. The “shoppers” are often older people who shop every single day for a family of perhaps three generations living together.

But the French also pay more for what they get, have fewer choices and put a lot more labor into anything more complicated than their particular “convenience foods” (bread, cheese, wine).

French wages are also lower and their taxes are higher than is the case in the U.S. If you have more money, maybe you opt for convenience. If you don’t, you work more with basics because you really don’t have alternatives.

Interesting point about decentralization. I think geography plays a big part. Where my parents live, it’s a 20-30 minute drive to even get to the supermarket. I cannot imagine them going to the cheese store and the meat store and the bread store, etc. and then having to come home and prepare it all. Who would have time to work?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Interesting point about decentralization. I think geography plays a big part. Where my parents live, it’s a 20-30 minute drive to even get to the supermarket. I cannot imagine them going to the cheese store and the meat store and the bread store, etc. and then having to come home and prepare it all. Who would have time to work?

It is my understanding the older generation does most of the daily shopping, which is largely done on foot. The next younger generation works, and the older ones watch as many of the (few) young ones who are not in school.

If they don’t have older folks available, the married people both work, state-funded daycare takes care of the one kid (if any) and those who work do their shopping after work. And too, it isn’t as if there are no supermarkets at all with more convenient food. They just aren’t terribly popular and there is resistance to them.

Eventually, though, one might reasonably expect changes in habits. But a number of things would have to change with them. It is my understanding French living quarters are pretty small and refrigerators are too.

But they do have a lot of days off in France, and it’s almost impossible to fire people, so maybe people who have jobs just skip work and shop, at least somewhat.

 

[Cat]

You may need to supply all your daughters lunches for a while. In the meantime you might request a meeting with your Pastor and then those in charge of organizing the lunches at the school. Your concerns are valid, and I wish all schools would get away from the pre-prepared foods due to the sugar and salt content alone.

You may not be able to get folks to eliminate all these things, but you certainly could encourage adding other options. Here are some ideas that help my sister and I. My sister has very specific dietary needs due to Crohns Disease, and we try to focus on getting truly organic foods.

1. See if your particular school would be willing to start a community garden that would be used for the children’s lunches. Keep in organic. It is easier to start with a mulch garden. This way you don’t have to dig up and make huge trenches. Layer card-board on the ground as a base, cover with peat moss, gardening soil, leaves that have been raked up at the Parish or folks gardens. Commit to NO Pesticides. You will be surprised how nature can take care of bug problems.

Things to plant: tomatoes, green beans, sweet peas, corn, carrots, cabbage.

1. Introduce more salads and fruits to the menu. Try cottage cheese and peaches, relish trays that have carrots and celery with apple slices. More cheeses to eat with things like rice crackers, soda crackers, or other crispy crunchy fruits like asian pears.
2. Try tuna for the fish option. Tuna casserole. Tuna melts which are usually made on a muffin with tuna, tomato and cheddar cheese.
3. Make homemade burritos with beans that are not cooked with lard or fat. But remember fat is not what makes people fat. Sugar is the fat maker. Too little fat and not enough of the good fats is associated with aggressive and violent behavior. A fat free diet is not a good choice and usually fat free foods have sugar added for flavor.

Anyway if you want more ideas you can post me privately or I can keep adding here. Don’t give up. You could be just what the school needs to introduce all the children to other ethnic foods, better eating habits and the joys of gardening.

How does a school plant and care for a garden in the winter?

Are there year-round Catholic schools?

This just gave me a chuckle. It’s 14 below outside right now.

 

[Xantippe]

As I recall, up north where I’m from, we’d start putting in a garden in May. So, that would give you about 6 weeks of garden during the spring semester plus a couple months in the fall.

I’ve since moved south, and there’s an absolutely lovely school garden at one of our local suburban public elementary schools. They have sunflowers that are at least 8-feet tall, grapes, cantelopes, a butterfly garden, you name it. But there’s also a lady on hand (not sure if she’s an employee or just a very dedicated volunteer) who makes all of the magic happen. It must be nearly a full-time effort.

 

[Allegra]

Community gardens are becoming very popular in public schools in my area. Most of these schools have a summer camp program that tends the gardens over the 8 weeks of summer break that kids actually get these days. Winter months are spent planning and building new beds, researching the best way to grow the vegetables. They also grow herbs and start off small plants inside the school in the early spring, so they are ready to go out before the end of the school year. Students generally start school in early August here, so they are in session for all of the harvest season. My neice’s school has a their own pumpkin patch and they sell the pumpkins for a very reasonable price and it nearly pays for the whole rest of the garden.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Community gardens are becoming very popular in public schools in my area. Most of these schools have a summer camp program that tends the gardens over the 8 weeks of summer break that kids actually get these days. Winter months are spent planning and building new beds, researching the best way to grow the vegetables. They also grow herbs and start off small plants inside the school in the early spring, so they are ready to go out before the end of the school year. Students generally start school in early August here, so they are in session for all of the harvest season. My neice’s school has a their own pumpkin patch and they sell the pumpkins for a very reasonable price and it nearly pays for the whole rest of the garden.

Gardening well is a lot of work. I’m in SW Mo, and our climate isn’t terribly different from yours. People put out gardens here in February; cold weather things like lettuce, radishes, onions. Other things in mid to late March, some in mid April. Lots of things would be capable of being harvested before school lets out. Strawberries more often than not, included.

But somebody would need to tend it during the summer months or it would go wild.

 

[Allegra]

Gardening well is a lot of work. I’m in SW Mo, and our climate isn’t terribly different from yours. People put out gardens here in February; cold weather things like lettuce, radishes, onions. Other things in mid to late March, some in mid April. Lots of things would be capable of being harvested before school lets out. Strawberries more often than not, included.

But somebody would need to tend it during the summer months or it would go wild.

As I said, there is a summer school course that teaches gardening and cooking. Summer break last about 8 weeks and there are 3 two week session of summer school, so there’s really only two weeks with no one but volunteers to take care of the garden.

 

[pristine2]

Japan might yet become a Catholic majority country. A nation could do worse.

Silver linings.

 

[Ridgerunner]

As I said, there is a summer school course that teaches gardening and cooking. Summer break last about 8 weeks and there are 3 two week session of summer school, so there’s really only two weeks with no one but volunteers to take care of the garden.

But are you laughing, Allegra?

I can never see your name without thinking of that verse from “The Childrens’ Hour”

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

 

[Allegra]

But are you laughing, Allegra?

I can never see your name without thinking of that verse from “The Childrens’ Hour”

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

I’ve been known to laugh.

 

[Cat]

My family has recently moved to a small town in the US with a thriving Catholic community, We’re not Catholic, but my daughter (almost 8) attends the local Catholic school and hopes to be baptised and receive first communion this Spring. To support her, I bring her to mass every week, and I attend RCIA classes. We’re doing our best to provide her a Christian household. I’ve met regularly with the parish priest, and seek the advice of our neighbours, who have six children and are devout Catholics.

My wife and I very happy with the school overall, but we do have a couple of issues where we think things could improve, and we’re ready to offer our help. One matter is the paucity of foreign languages in the curriculum – that’s a subject for a later post.

The other, more immediate issue: food.

We accept that the American diet is different than we are accustomed to, and that we must accommodate ourselves to it. Still, we can’t help but be appalled at the enormous levels of salt, cheap oils & fats, sugar and chemical sweeteners in the local diet. There is also an over-reliance on processed foods that contain an inordinate number of ingredients that can barely be called “food” at all. We’re also surprised at the over-use of candy & junk food to “reward” or encourage good behaviour among the children. We see this as a very harmful practice.

The school does a very good job involving the parish community in preparing school lunches. A network of parents provides kitchen labour, and they also help mitigate the expense. Alas, while the food is imbued with love, it is also dripping in dubious oils and scores of unnecessary and possibly harmful ingredients. Lunch often consists of restaurant-bought, pre-prepared entrees using things like hyrdogenated palm & cottonseed oil, chemically modified starches, processed sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup, and olfactory chemicals like MSG (“yeast extract,” autolysed yeast protein," etc.).

As my wife is from India, we have raised the kids to eat neither beef nor pork, so on most days we have to pack a lunch for our daughter anyway. We had wrongly expected that there would at least be fish available on Fridays. So the only days we don’t pack a lunch is when there is chicken or turkey on the menu, which is maybe three or four days a month.

Unfortunately, this hasn’t insulated our daughter from the dietary dangers. At least twice a week the teachers distribute “goodies” like doughnuts prepared in pig lard, supermarket cupcakes (40 ingredients!), lolipops, “artificially flavoured” packaged corn or potato chips fried in cottonseed oil, and candy bars. Every child’s birthday is celebrated with such stuff (though a few parents will at least provide home-baked cupcakes). But often the junk food is distributed to celebrate class achievements in school, or just to make the children feel good. Field trips always include a visit to a fast food outlet like McDonalds or Arbys.

Everyone likes eliciting smiles from the children, but plying them with comfort food like this is not doing them any favours. It reinforces bad eating habits they may already be learning at home, and undermines the efforts of parents who are conscious of how and what their children eat. Honestly speaking, a good number of the children are already over-weight or obese. I fear many can look forward to type II diabetes, gall stones and other medical problems as they get older.

We’re unsure how to broach the subject with the school without causing offence. We requested that the menu be a little more detailed so we can plan (for example, specifying whether the lunch contained beef or pork), and the response was pretty frosty.

One thought I had was, as part of our donation to the Parish, to pay for a nutritional consultant to come in and help the school modernise its food services. But so far I have not found anyone offering this expertise in our area. I’d also like to find one that is familiar with Catholic education, and could deliver a nutritional plan that would be readily accepted by the community.

Any thoughts on what we might do – even advice to shut up and hold our peace – would be warmly appreciated.

Richard

Here’s something to think as you condemn the “American poison diet.”

My husband works in an international computer company. Many of his co-workers are from India.

When I told him about this thread, he said, “There have been plenty of times when co-workers from India have brought their homemade “healthy” lunches into the lunchroom, and the all the Americans had to leave the room because they couldn’t stand the strong smell of the Indian foods.”

My point is–food preferences are different in different places, and what we each find offensive in culinary matters is influenced by our upbringing and family.

I would advise backing off. Eat what you like, teach your child to do the same, and do not criticize the diets of others, even if you think they are unhealthy. Parents tend to get very upset when someone else tries to tell them how to raise their children.

As for birthdays, be really really careful about this. Many families have long-standing traditions of certain kinds of sweets that are made on birthdays. And many mothers are stressed out due to time shortages, but they still stay up late to make a special birthday treat for their child’s classmates. When you criticize this, you may be criticizing a tired, stressed mom-cat who will probably be burning a very short fuse and is not in the mood to hear you say that her child is fat. Don’t do it. Be safe.

 

[Cat]

Turns out while this is widely believed, it is not always true. There may be more work involved in prep (it isn’t just heating anymore, its actually cooking.)

Given the epidemic of nutritionally based poor health in this country, I think the OP should sit down with the school in a nice dialog; it won’t change overnight, but if you get a 20% improvement and then another 15% improvement, etc. over time, things will get better.

Perhaps start by suggesting one fairly simple fresh alternative daily.

You have to pay the workers to do the prep and the “cooking.” And you have to satifsy a million government regulations to be allowed to do food prep and cooking for people who are paying to eat that food. That means that someone in the organization has to be in charge of “quality control” and get paid for that responsibility.

Money, money, money!

I work in a microbiology lab, and a lot of food poisoning happens when people eat fresh raw fruits and vegetables that have somehow become contaminated. No thank you. When it comes to food served in large institutions (like schools), I personally would prefer canned and NUKED! Safer!

No one ever gets food poisoning from Cheetos.