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Improving School Lunch Tips and Resources

By Jenny Steadman April 10, 2015
Wanting to revamp your kid's school lunch has become the new black. Everywhere I turn, I hear about parents who are working in schools to bring fresh vegetables to students via salad bars and produce from local farms. But, it's not happening everywhere and it needs to. Parents and community members are frustrated with what they hear about food in the school lunch room but they don't know what to do about it. 

So many want to be part of the change but, let's face it, change is hard. With school administration, government standards and funding problems in front of you, it is hard to take that first step. We have learned that we can complain all we want but, unless you are willing to get your hands dirty, change isn't going to happen. 

You may have read last month that my hands are filthy! Another parent and I have taken it upon ourselves to "be the change you want to see in the world," (thanks, Ghandi!) and we are changing lunch at our elementary school. We are now being told that this change could likely spread through the entire school district. Are we giddy much? Yes, to say the least!

We get so many questions about how we did it and I'd like to provide some advice and resources that we have found useful. Let's start at the very beginning. 

Getting Started
1. Start talking. Talk to parents, teachers, students, community members, everyone and anyone who will listen. See what they think about school lunch and get them on board to support change. A movement can start with just one person but the larger the voice, the easier it is to hear. 

2. Talk to the PTO/PTA. Find out what their stance is on change, if they will support you and see if anyone has tried in the past. It's good to get a history.

3. Get your principal on board. Without your principal supporting you, it's going to be very hard to get through all of that administrative red tape. Our principal has always known that the lunch room needed to be revamped but, her lap was always too full to tackle it. We offered to take this from her. Present yourself as the solution, not another problem for her to solve. 

Research
There are so many wonderful resources out there and it can be overwhelming! Trust me when I say it is worth sifting through it all to see what strikes you. 

The Lunch Box
Jamie Oliver Food Foundation

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Whole Kids Foundation
Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools
USDA Farm to School

I hope this gets you excited and off to a good start. We are still at the beginning of our journey but the change feels good and people are so excited about it! I'd love to hear what is going on in your community and school. Comment below!