Star Power
11/25/2009The push for healthy food in schools and access to affordable fresh food in this country has a new poster child – Rachael Ray.
New York City public schools are now offering Ray’s meals to students as part of their initiative to provide more well-balanced diets to students during school hours, and beyond. Some even offer breakfast and lunch year-round to students to ensure a healthy diet even when school is not in session. Ray hopes the program helps reduce the childhood obesity rate, which lies at 40% in NYC schools alone. (http://www.abcnews.go.com/Nightline/rachael-ray-school-lunches-yum-upgrade/story?id=9163144)
Combine this initiative with vending and not only can schools deliver fresh meals to students, but they can reduce time waiting in line so these kids do not have to literally eat and run. It seems that machines like the Star Food machine may logically be the next wave in healthy eating options for schools. (http://reimbursablemeals.com) Load them up with school- (and kid-)approved meals, and empower the next generation to make healthy selections now and in the future.
These efforts cannot replace what kids learn in the home on nutrition, but providing nutritional options throughout the day is certainly a step in the right direction.
christine.papesch@veii.com
