School Nutrition: Junk In, Junk Out
Re “A War on Soda and Candies in Schools,” Aug. 26: I have a new way to increase funding for public schools--an on-campus Lotto! Twice a week students “invest” a dollar (or preferably more) into their school’s student-body fund by buying a campus Lotto ticket. Sure it’s gambling, and sure the chances are slim, but your child could win the jackpot and benefit his or her education simultaneously. Dumb idea? Absolutely! But not as dumb as peddling junk food to elementary, middle and high school kids simply because schools need to make up for decreased funding from the state. As a public school teacher I fully appreciate the need for additional funds for schools. However, I appreciate more the need for schools to educate students about good health by setting an example.
We are living at a time when schools and teachers have become surrogate homes and parents, and providing these kids with all the candy, chips and soda they can or can’t afford simply because the school needs the money is extremely irresponsible parenting. It is inexcusable that food companies, politicians and school districts choose to ignore the fact that a diet of junk food (and that is exactly what many of these kids have) adversely affects learning.
Bradley Greer
Los Angeles
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I have three children, two of whom are in elementary school. The peer pressure to drink sodas and eat junk food at lunch is bad enough, not to mention having the schools endorse products for the sole sake of money. It is so gratifying to hear about someone like state Sen. Martha Escutia, who is interested in our children and not just the almighty buck. I want to publicly thank her for all the hard work it has undoubtedly taken to get this far. Don’t let them stop you. There are so many parents like me who don’t have a voice to stop the big businesses involved.
Elisabeth Chatfelter
Lake Hughes
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It’s about time someone in the state Legislature put a stop to school districts realizing financial gain by selling junk food to students whose health and education they are responsible for.
The problem goes further than the sugary sweet drinks available in the machines. Packaged burritos, pizzas and ice creams make up the bulk of many students’ purchases for their school meal. Combine all this with packaged lunches--which count ketchup as a vegetable--and the offerings are very sad nutritionally.
My sixth-grade students, when asked if they would buy from a fresh salad bar, overwhelmingly said “yes.” Schools must set a better example for the school population that is at the schools’ mercy each and every school day. Align food choices with known nutritional data. Provide fresh fruit and vegetables in good-tasting food and studies show that students will perform better academically.
Thera Jane Mercer
Long Beach
