I recently had a conversation with one of my friends
regarding school aged, low income children and their eating habits. In the
midst of our conversation she made a few comments that really left something
for me to later ponder. She explained that there are many children in her
organization whom are forced to make food choices simply based on what they can
scrounge up at a relative/neighbors home or what they can afford to purchase
with the remaining balance on their mothers TANF card (aka food stamps).This
didn’t surprise me much, simply because I can remember this being the case in
our neighborhood as a child. Although, the conversation prompted me to want to take
a closer look at this phenomenon.
I am really concerned about the eating habits of our
children along with the fact that most of our school systems do a really poor
job at providing healthy food options for our growing future leaders of
America. When Jaime Oliver’s “Food Revolution” was in production, I loved the
way in which he attempted to bring awareness to the American school system.
Unfortunately, he was regularly faced with unyielding bureaucracy and negative
attitudes. I would love to have an opportunity to see his alternatives and
suggestions implemented.
There are so many children who fall victim to their parents’
poor eating habits. Therefore, having healthy food provisions at school could
greatly influence these children and their families to make healthier food choices.
It seems that for now implementing healthier food options for breakfast and
lunch in the school system may prove to be a difficult and daunting task.
This is why I am working so hard to speak at as many
schools as possible to push for a better plate and future for our children. Feel
free to contact me at spressonline@yahoo.com
if you would like to book me to speak with a group of children and/or parents
at your local school, PTA, afterschool program or in any other setting. Please
take the time to educate yourselves and others about making healthier food selections;
your life literally depends on it!
Living Purposefully,
S. Press
