The document discusses issues with nutrition in schools and argues for improving school lunch programs. It notes that unhealthy food choices in schools contribute to childhood obesity and poor academic performance. The document advocates offering students healthier options like fresh foods instead of fried foods and sugary snacks. Studies cited found that schools that implemented healthier eating saw benefits like better test scores, attendance and behavior.

1. The Real Food Fight The issue of nutrition in schools

2. Good Nutrition=Good Learning Research has shown us that kids who eat breakfast: produce better test scores, behavior better, showed a decrease in hyperactivity … but it’s also the quality , not the quantity

3. Lunch at School The same goes for lunch (healthy choices=better learning) But if you eat at school and all you have are unhealthy choices, you don’t even have the opportunity to eat right. Most schools aren’t offering those healthy alternatives to the fried and greasy meals.

4. The Problem… Unhealthy food choices for student snacks and lunches

5. Effects of Unhealthy Food Childhood obesity epidemic Poor nutrition No energy

6. School Lunch of the Past Burgers Fries Pizza Breadsticks Chips Soft drinks

7. Vending Machines It’s not just the school lunch selection to blame, vending machines play a role in malnutrition in schools by offering: Sugary beverages (pop, juice) Candy Processed snacks (chips, cookies, crackers) Snack cakes (brownies, buns) Ice cream

8. The Solution! Give children an alternative to unhealthy eating by offering healthy, wholesome choices

9. School Lunch of the Future Fresh Cooked Meats Whole grain breads Lunch meat Salads Fruits/Vegetables Water

10. Research Doesn’t Lie Schools that have implemented a healthier style of eating all say the same things: Better academic performance Attendance increase Trouble spots decrease (drug, guns, expultions)

11. Programs for Healthier Lunches Natural Ovens Wholesome Tummies Many others…

12. But what about the cost? It is an investment (at about$20,000 a year), but as one doctor said defending it "one child arrested would cost the schools more." (Dr. Scullen) Dan Tauber of one Wisconsin school says, "Let’s invest in the kids now, financially, with food versus invest in them later, financially, with ’how do we correct the problems we have because they are not eating healthy?’" according to another Wisconsin teacher, Mary Bruyette, nutrition should come up in the budget. "We’re concerned about everything else. We’re concerned about new band uniforms. We’re concerned about the football team. We’re concerned about text books. Why not be concerned about nutrition?”

13. Success Stories Tons of examples Effective at any grade level, any part of the country New York City area schools Appleton, Wisconsin Colorado area schools The list goes on…

14. Not Just About the Food Food education Being aware of what you’re eating Making healthy foods fun and appealing Physical activity Take existing “bad” foods you have and make them healthier (studies show the students don’t even know)

15. Establishing Life Long Healthy Eating Habits Healthy kids become healthy adults Obesity #3 preventable death in the US Our country in the “fattest” in the world Need to start nutrition guidance early, in elementary, junior high, and high school (not before it’s too late)

16. Image Citations Foodfight4x Quest 007 http://illo.worth1000.com/entries/480460/foodfight-club filling.face jking89 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jking89/3476740902/ burger JOE M500 http://www.flickr.com/photos/m500/2864342764/ pizza andie712b http://www.flickr.com/photos/andie712b/2066963097/ salad stevedepolo http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/3557305803/ fruit David Masters http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmasters/3603240087/ healthy eating tiffanywashko http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturalmom/3705088109/

17. Citations Ellerbee, William J.; Bramson-Paul, Phyllis.; Marcellino, Sara. (January/February 2006) Healthy Children Ready to Learn. Leadership v. 35 no3 (p. 26-9, 39) . Feingold Association A Different Kind of School Lunch. Retrieved from http://www.feingold.org/Bluebook/page-09-wisconsin.pdf Pettigrew, Andre N. (2005) Denver’s Balancing Act for Obesity and Vending. School Administrator v. 62 no9 (p, 10-12 ) Hernandez , Fabiola (May 27, 2009) Top 5 Fattest Countries in the World. Retrieved from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1766192/top_5_fattest_countries_in_the_world_pg2_pg2.html?cat=51

18. Citations (cont.) http://www.healthyschoollunches.org/ http://www.healthylunches.org/