how to get better food into DCPS?

[SurelyYouNest]

Does anyone know anyone working on this issue, specifically with DCPS? I understand that Rhee put the school system's food contract out to bid and they are switching vendors. It seems like a perfect time to get *healthier* food into the schools. Forget organics, I just want less greasy, fried food and white bread. Anyone know how I could get involved? People you know working on this, organizations *in DC* involved in the issue? Thanks so much for any leads.

[Anonymous]

If you find anything out, definitely post it because I, and I'm sure a lot of others, would love to help out.

[TwinsinAdMorg]

Great question!!!

Anyone know if the changes will include vending machines? (The bane of my existence as an after-school tutor.)

And does anyone know this group? http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/state_profile.php?state=DC

[Anonymous]

I received this email today through my neighborhood list serve regarding the budgeting for improving students meals at DCPS. It sounds like $2 mil for the entire system per year is required to upgrade to healthier foods for the kids, but this email doesn't provide any insight into the new food program itself.

Neighbors:

Through the National School Lunch Program, the federal government provides a cash reimbursement of less than $2.50 for each free lunch served and less than $2.10 for each reduced price lunch. Many jurisdictions supplement this amount with other funds to improve the quality of school lunches. DC, however, does not. The Healthy School Meals Initiative, endorsed by the Mayor's Commission on Food and Nutrition, would add 25 cents per student per day to improve school meal quality. The need is particularly pressing right now given rising food prices. Please let your Council members know that you support full funding for the Healthy School Meals Initiative, endorsed by the Mayor’s Commission on Food and Nutrition.

A summary of the legislation from Srinidhi Vijaykumar of DC Hunger Solutions:

For just over $2 million dollars – or 25 cents per student per day to improve school meal quality -- the Council can:

- invest in school nutrition and our children’s health and academic performance

- increase participation in school breakfast and lunch and enable the city to leverage millions of dollars in available federal funding for school meals

- help families and schools deal with soaring food costs

We understand that the Council faces tough budgeting decisions in the current economic downturn. However, targeting funds in the Committee of the Whole Budget to improve school meals is essential at a time when schools and families are hard-pressed for resources.

Please contact Chairman Gray at: 202-724-8032 or [e-mail] and all Council members at [e-mail] to voice your support (individual council members listed below).

Finally, please post this message to other DC list serves and forward to parents at DC schools.

Thank you!



Ward 1: Jim Graham
202.724.8181
[e-mail]

Ward 2: Jack Evans
202.724.8058
[e-mail]

Ward 3: Mary M. Cheh
202.724.8062
[e-mail]

Ward 4: Muriel Bowser
202-724-8052
[e-mail]

Ward 5: Harry Thomas
Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

Ward 6: Tommy Wells
202.724.8072
[e-mail]

Ward 7: Yvette Alexander
202.724.8068
[e-mail]

Ward 8: Marion Barry
202.724.8045
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

after the expose on DC schools in theslowcook.com: http://www.theslowcook.com/blog/tales-from-a-dc-school-kitchen/ , any new movement on this? Ideas?

[Anonymous]

There's a facebook group dedicated to this discussion and action: Parents for Better D.C. School Food.

[Anonymous]

Yes, there is a group working on this. We are Parents for Better D.C. School Food, rising out the parents group at the D.C. Farm to School Network. In just the last few weeks we have formed a Google group:

http://groups.google.com/group/parents-for-better-dc-school-food

A Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parents-for-Better-DC-School-Food/328496376460?ref=ts

And a blog:

http://betterdcschoolfood.blogspot.com/

We are entirely focused on improving food served in the public schools of the District of Columbia. We work with the D.C. Farm to School Network, the D.C. Council, and with the food service personnel in Michelle Rhee's office. Our immediate goal is to reach out to every PTA and concerned parent group in the city. Please join us. There is strength in numbers. Also look here for more info on D.C. school food: http://www.theslowcook.com/blog/tales-from-a-dc-school-kitchen/

u

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, there is a group working on this. We are Parents for Better D.C. School Food, rising out the parents group at the D.C. Farm to School Network. In just the last few weeks we have formed a Google group:

http://groups.google.com/group/parents-for-better-dc-school-food

A Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parents-for-Better-DC-School-Food/328496376460?ref=ts

And a blog:

http://betterdcschoolfood.blogspot.com/

We are entirely focused on improving food served in the public schools of the District of Columbia. We work with the D.C. Farm to School Network, the D.C. Council, and with the food service personnel in Michelle Rhee's office. Our immediate goal is to reach out to every PTA and concerned parent group in the city. Please join us. There is strength in numbers. Also look here for more info on D.C. school food: http://www.theslowcook.com/blog/tales-from-a-dc-school-kitchen/

u

this is good news. are charter schools included in your scope?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, there is a group working on this. We are Parents for Better D.C. School Food, rising out the parents group at the D.C. Farm to School Network. In just the last few weeks we have formed a Google group:

http://groups.google.com/group/parents-for-better-dc-school-food

A Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parents-for-Better-DC-School-Food/328496376460?ref=ts

And a blog:

http://betterdcschoolfood.blogspot.com/

We are entirely focused on improving food served in the public schools of the District of Columbia. We work with the D.C. Farm to School Network, the D.C. Council, and with the food service personnel in Michelle Rhee's office. Our immediate goal is to reach out to every PTA and concerned parent group in the city. Please join us. There is strength in numbers. Also look here for more info on D.C. school food: http://www.theslowcook.com/blog/tales-from-a-dc-school-kitchen/

u

this is good news. are charter schools included in your scope?

Charter schools get to choose their own vendors, they can do whatever they want (or their parents demand).

[Anonymous]

Mary Cheh has introduced a bill that addresses food as well as other aspects of health in D.C. schools (environmental toxins and exercise). Right now it covers charter schools. It limits what is in vending machines and sets nutritional standards for school meals. It also provides for school gardens and use of local produce. And it increased gym time. A copy is on her website, www.marycheh.com