Information on California Healthy School Lunch Resolution

Experts Call for Healthier School Meals
News Release

Contact: Johanna McCloy, 510-508-4309
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday 31 January 2003
NATION SPONSORS HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCH RESOLUTION

Oakland, CA. - On January 27th, Assemblyman Joe Nation (D:06) introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 16 requesting that optional vegetarian lunches be available on the daily menu in California's schools. The state of Hawaii set precedent by unanimously voting for a similar resolution last year. As cited on Nation's web site:

"All major health organizations now recommend reducing saturated fat and cholesterol (meat and dairy products primarily) and increasing whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables in order to reduce the risk of obesity and disease. However, the most ordered and consumed foods in the USDA school lunch program are meat and dairy products, most of which are fast food look-a-likes. Our schools carry the profound responsibility of teaching and shaping our future generations. With this in mind, ACR 16 encourages all schools to provide students with at least one plant-centered vegetarian option at lunch in the hopes of creating a

healthier and more inclusive learning experience for ALL children. "

The American Dietetic Association has stated that it is their position that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthy and nutritionally adequate and that scientific data suggest positive relationships between vegetarian diets and risk reduction for several chronic degenerative diseases and conditions, including obesity, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and some types of cancer. A significant percentage of children who rely on free or reduced price school lunches are considered "at risk" for these-diet related degenerative diseases. Just this month, the U.S. Surgeon general, Dr. Richard Carmona, addressed the issue of childhood obesity at a conference in San Diego. He said that individuals and families can save themselves from disease through leading a "cultural transformation". The Healthy School Lunch resolution is an example of this. It is sponsored by Project Healthy Beginnings, a coalition of parents, health advocates and other concerned citizens who want to see healthy, plant-based choices available in the school lunch program. Barbara Gates, director of PHB, says "We have confidence that committed school food experts are capable of creating innovative healthy selections and marketing strategies that will encourage consumption." Her web site offers menu suggestions that include presently available food commodities, so it won't cost the schools any money.